Paczki, is what is known as the original Polish donut, no one will ever agree on how to pronounce them, but everyone will agree that you cannot eat just one or even two.
Paczki are maid and eaten on Fat Tuesday the day before Ash Wednesday.
Paczki are round sugar coated, fruit filled Polish pastry. Originally Paczki were maid to use up the lard and eggs, which were prohibited during lent. Today they are maid and served as a last- minute, beginning before lent knowing that you will not see any pastry during this time.
Today Paczki are becoming what a cake is to a birthday or turkey and pumpkin pie is to Thanksgiving.
People all over purchase them by the dozens to share with their friends and relatives and even co-workers, Paczki are the #1 donut sold at this time of year.
Paczki (punch-key) Day is the feast of plenty before the Lenten fast begins. It is the last day of gaiety in Karnawal time, the period between Christmas and Lent. This is the time for sleigh parties called Kulig. To mark the last moments of excess before the austerity of Lenten sacrifice, Polish Roman Catholics celebrate Paczki Day.
On this day the traditional deep fried pastries (something like jelly doughnuts) are enjoyed throughout the world's Polonias. This joyous activity precedes the Gorzkie Zale (lamentation services) of Lent in Polonian churches. In Poland, Paczki Day takes place the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, called Tlusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday). Long lines form in front of the bakeries in Polonia, and millions of Paczki are sold.
In United States Polonia, Paczki Day takes place the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, traditionally called Fat Tuesday in Carnival. Polish American bakeries also supply Paczki in the hundreds of thousands that day. Often in American Polonia, Paczki Day is celebrated with polka dances. In Roman Catholic grammar schools throughout American Polonia, children enjoy Paczki at school on that day."
