In Detroit and surrounding suburbs [where I live], there's a large population of people who are of Polish descent. Just as the French celebrate Mardi Gras before the Lenten season begins [when rich, fatty foods will be abstained from during the 40-days of fasting], the Polish celebrate Paczki Day on Fat Tuesday [or Shrove Tuesday].
The saying is "Everyone's Polish on Paczki Day" [thank goodness, because I don't have any Polish in my ancestry]. I got in line at a bakery yesterday to buy Paczki for my hubby and me. Below is the bakery sign near the street.
I was hoping to beat the crowds by going yesterday instead of today, but I still stood in a long line.
It was worth it though. My hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed our cannoli cream filled doughnut this morning. I don't even want to know how many calories were in it. While I was there I bought my hubby an apple filled doughnut for tomorrow and a lemon filled one for myself. $14 for four doughnuts, but Paczki Day only comes once a year!
Paczki Day is always a good time to bring out my Polish Pottery, which I did this morning.
I have several first cousins who live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where Mardi Gras is celebrated. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" and King Cakes replace Pazcki. I've only made a King Cake once - a rich, brioche dough with a wide variety of fillings [mine was cinnamon]. They're frosted with a powdered sugar glaze and sugar sprinkles in the royal Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple and green. They're beautiful and festive-looking. One year during Mardi Gras, my aunt sent me a King Cake from Gambino's Bakery in New Orleans.
One of my cousins posted some Mardi Gras pictures on Facebook yesterday taken in New Orleans [French Quarter]. The crowds are so large she said they weren't going this year.
[David Nola Photography]
Do you celebrate Paczki Day or Mardi Gras?
