Did you know there are actually two "paczki days"?
You may know the tradition of eating rich foods on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday in French), as a sendoff before the Christian Lenten fast begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls next Wednesday, Feb. 13.
France, Brazil, New Orleans, Italy and most places with a Mardi Gras tradition hold their festivities prior to, or culminating on, Fat Tuesday, which falls Feb. 12 this year.
However, the Polish custom is to feast the Thursday before Ash Wednesday--called Fat Thursday by Poles.
When asked to explain the difference between Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday, Ola Makal, a salesperson at Oak Mill Bakery in Niles, said, "Fat Thursday is typically Polish. We celebrate Thursday. Fat Tuesday is usually celebrated by Americans."
She was expecting more Poles in the shop on Fat Thursday, when Poles eat the delectable desserts.
In Poland, people traditionally made paczki for Fat Thursday to use up the eggs, lard and sugar in the house, because they were traditionally not eaten during Lent, according to the Polish American Association. Fat Thursday "is the last chance to party before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins," the association says on it website.
Oak Mill Bakery will be selling paczki today (Thursday) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit the Polish American Association, a non-profit organization which provides social services.
Places to buy paczki today and next Tuesday:
- Oak Mill Bakery, 8012 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Niles
- 9328 N. Waukegan Road, Morton Grove
- House of Cakes, 6189 N. Canfield, Chicago (across street from Park Ridge)
Know of other places that sell fresh paczki? Tell us in the comments, below.
They Hand Make each Paczki the old fashioned way using Real Yeast Dough. You really need to Taste The Difference. Traditional fillings include Rosehip and Plum Butter as well as the Fat Tuesdays favorites of Bavarian Creme, Raspberries, Apricot, and Blueberry. All varieties are available daily.