For many people, the day before Ash Wednesday on the Christian calendar, otherwise known as fat Tuesday, is associated with gluttony, overindulgence and — if you’re in New Orleans — debauchery.
But in the Polish tradition, and in many other eastern European countries, the day before Lent is synonymous with a round fruit-filled pastry known as the Paczki (pronounced ponch-key.)
Paczkis, loosely translated as doughnut in Polish, are made from a yeast dough sometimes sweetened with vanilla and milk. After frying, the doughnuts are hollowed out and stuffed with a fruit filling and topped with a glaze or powdered sugar. The result is a much richer version of a jelly doughnut.
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