Fat Tuesday time for paczki
Filled with the traditional prune or with less “Old World” but more popular cherry, raspberry, custard cream cheese or blueberry, paczki is a taste of Poland that has in many ways been Americanized.
Bostwick Lake Bakery owner Mike Moyer believes that the popularity of paczki would radically increase if people tasted those made at bakeries, where authentic dough is used and a variety of fillings are offered. His bakery was formerly owned by a polish man who, ironically, didn’t make paczki. In the last ten years Moyer has sold paczki prior and during Fat Tuesday, the Tuesday before the Catholic tradition of Lent. This year Fat Tuesday is February 24.
Fat Tuesday is the day of feast before Lent, a time when Catholics give up sweets for 40 days before Easter. Paczki is a Polish tradition with a strong American following. Traditionally prune-filled, the treat features a dough heavier and richer than a bizmark, and is filled now with many fruit or even custard or cheese filling.
Moyer said his bakery often offered paczki for a month prior to Fat Tuesday, but now sells them for about a week. The annual treat will be available at the bakery now. With a traditional, religious and flavorful reason to try this taste of Poland, there is no excuse not to enjoy this annual pastry.
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