Paczki

What are Paczki?

Paczki are deep-fried doughnuts that are filled with fruit and topped with sugar or icing.

Paczki is traditionally served in Poland on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. In North America “Paczki Day” takes place the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, known as Fat Tuesday.

Similar versions of the doughnut can be found throughout Central and Eastern Europe. In Ukraine, they are known as pampushky and in Hungary as fánk.

History of the Paczki

Paczki originated in Poland in the Middle Ages, during the reign of August III (King of Poland), who invited French cooks to work at his castle. Overtime, the dough was improved and became lighter, spongier, and more resilient.

Traditionally, the reason for making paczki was to use up all the lard, sugar, eggs and fruit in the house, which are forbidden during Lent.

Popular fillings for Paczki

• Prunes
• Jam
• Raspberry
• Lemon
• Strawberry
• Custard
• Bavarian Cream
• Cherry

How to make Paczki

Paczki can be difficult to make but if your interested in a challege, below are a few good recipes. Keep in mind that most recipes require you to have a deep fryer and a pastry bag.

Paczki – Polish American Journal
http://www.polamjournal.com/Library/Holidays/paczki/paczki.html

Polish Pre-Lenten Jelly Doughnuts: Paczki – Food Network

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/polish-pre-lenten-jelly-doughnuts-paczki-recipe/index.html

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Tags: Paczki, Polish doughnut

Category: Facts & Information, Holidays, Recipes