Fasnacht? A Fastnacht (pronouned fahs’ not) is very much like a dense doughnut and is a favorite Pennsylvania Dutch Treat this time of year.
A Fasnacht, served on Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, was originally a way to use up to use up the fat, butter, lard, and sugar in the pantry before Lent, the six-week fasting period before Easter. Those 40 days are observed by many Christian denominations with self-denial, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.
In Lancaster County, Fasnacht Day is highly anticipated by folks of any denomination, because really, who doesn’t love deep-fried dough balls covered in sugar?
I know I do, especially with a cup of hot, steaming coffee. Around here you can get these scrumptious, doughy, yummy, treats nice and fresh at just about any bakery or grocery stores. Pick them plain, covered covered in sugar, or sprinkled with powered sugar. Buy them by the dozen or one by one. Already I’m drooling.
In other parts around the country – like where I grew up in Indiana – people enjoy a Paczki (oddly pronounced poonsh’ key or punch’ key) the Polish version of a Fasnacht. The only difference between the two is that Paczki usually have some kind of fruit filling. Call them what you want, but any way you name them, they’re wonderful.
Imagine yourself biting into a freshly made Fasnacht.
The outside is crisp and a little bit chewy, while the inside is soft, airy – and sometimes still warm! That, along with the hint of sweetness in the rich dough and the tiniest bit of deep-fried greasiness (in a good way!) combine to create this wonderful symphonty in your mouth. What can I say?
I think everybody has his or her own tradition when it comes to Fasnachts.
When my kids were little we’d get the plain ones from Oregon Dairy, then we’d dip them in our own little personal pile of sugar and eat them that way, bite by bite. That’s probably still my favorite. For my sister and her family in Indiana, they especially like the raspberry-filled Paczki. Of course we have to eat these together, states apart, over the phone. It’s a very sophisticated conversation while we indulge and sip a hot beverage and talk about our dough balls.
Me: Hey. What’d you get?
Jo: Mmmmm. Raspberry – and strawberry for Ed. What’d you get?
Me: Mmmmmm. Plain – with a little personal pile of sugar.
Jo: Mmmmmm…so good.
Me: Mmmmm….yeah. So good.
There’s not much else to say when you’re enjoying such an indulgence. Mover conversation would only get in the way.
Ready for a bite?
According to Discover Lancaster Visitors Center some of the local favorite places to pick up Fasnachts include Lancaster Central Market (open T, F, Sat.), Achenbach’s Pastry, and Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop to name a few. Many local churches, like Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Columbia (available by pre-order online), and many fire companies will be selling them as well. And don’t forget: you can get your Fasnachts at grocery stores like Giant and Stauffer’s.
While you might be thinking, “Geez. It’s just a doughnut,”
it’s way more than that. It’s also a celebration of tradition and community and family fun. So whether you’re a life-long Lancaster County resident, a transplant like me, or just a visitor to the area, I say go for it. Experience the magic of a Fasnacht. Savor every bite and embrace the tradition. I think you’ll love it!
