The Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday, but local bakeries are geared up for “Fat Tuesday”, a carnival celebration associated with Mardi Gras. A polish donut, called Paczki, is a popular indulgence before Lent. Alex Stodola of Stodola IGA in Luxemburg says the tradition of buying paczki in the area has grown over the years.
Paczkis are made from especially rich dough that contains eggs, fats, sugar, yeast, and milk featuring fruit and cream fillings. Fat Tuesday always falls on the 47th day before Easter.