Credit: Wikimedia
Fat Tuesday is usually celebrated as the last day before the beginning of Lent in religious households. Otherwise, Fat Tuesday is just an excuse to binge on unhealthy foods and enjoy some adult beverages.
Fasnachts, a popular Fat Tuesday treat, are similar to doughnuts and can include potatoes, powder or jelly filling, depending on your recipe. Some are round, some are square and some even are formed in the shape of a diamond. The tasty Fat Tuesday treat has roots as both a food to celebrate before Lent and also served a practical use.
Advertisements
There are a lot of ways to spell the name of the fried treat, including Fasnacht, Fassenacht, Fasnet and Fauschnaut. There is no one correct way to spell fasnachts, and just like the spelling, there are a variety of ways to prepare them as well.
Fat Tuesday, sometimes known locally as Fasnacht Day, has weight in Pennsylvania and especially the Lancaster area, where the Pennsylvania Dutch celebrate the holiday by indulging on the fasnachts. According to PennLive.com, the pastry began as a way for housewives to empty the house of lard, sugar and butter.
A representative from Fritz’s Bakery said that they don’t make the pastry , but other area bake shops and grocery stores are expected to carry the seasonal treat. The Italian People’s Bakery is bringing in about six dozen baked in Trenton to sell on Fat Tuesday and hopes to sell each and every last one, an employee told LevittownNow.com.
Advertisements
Similar to fasnacts, pączki are often eaten by people of Polish origins on Fat Tuesday and other various special occasions throughout the year. In the New Orleans area, king cakes are popular and often include a tiny baby figurine hidden inside for one luck taster to find.
Whether indulging in fasnachts or other Fat Tuesday foods or drinks, just make sure to indulge on Fat Tuesday.
