Fat Thursday

Fat Thursday tomorrow!
Fat Thursday? You bet, fat Thursday!

You can say a lot about Polish traditions, but one thing is for sure. You will not be hungry. While writing about it I hear my stomach preparing for it, not joking.

"Tłusty czwartek" (Fat Thursday) is a traditional Catholic feast marking the last Thursday before Lent and is associated with the celebration of Carnival. Because Lent is a time of fasting, the next opportunity to feast would not be until Easter.

Traditionally it is a day dedicated to eating, when people meet in their homes or pubs with friends and relatives. Eating large quantities of sweets, cakes and other meals usually not eaten during the period of fasting. On this day no one looks at calories, diets will be paused because traditions should be respected :-)

Mrs MyWarsawDream getting pączki for us

The most popular national "dishes" served are pączki, doughnuts filled with rose marmalade and faworki (angel wings)  served with powder sugar. Whole day long huge queues will form at pastry shops like the one on the photo. Many of them offer the possibility to order donuts and faworki earlier and collect them on Fat Thursday. I have seen these queues and understand why people would prefer that option, it is insane.

Faworki and pączki

I have tried both and prefer pączki. Especially the ones which mama Mrs MyWarsawDream freshly made a while ago, a version without marmalade but with raisins. Comes close to the Dutch oliebollen, but smaller and more fluffy.
The ones with rose marmelade inside are the classic ones, but you can also buy them with for instance caramel or pudding inside.

Mniam.

The day after

When you return at work the Friday after, colleagues ask how many donuts you ate. Less than 4 is a shame, no it is a disgrace!

Cheerio folks.