Happy February, Etc.

Happy Groundhog's, Valentine's, & Presidents' Day!  WHEW!  I think I covered them all for this month. Well, the major ones anyway.  And, a very Happy Birthday to whomever celebrates theirs this month.

Another "Holiday" I will be celebrating is Paczki Day on February 21st.  The easiest pronunciation I can give you is-"punchki", but it sounds like the "pu" in pudding.  Polish has some weird diacritical marks that really change the sounds of letters.

New Palace Bakery in Hamtramck

Paczki Day is the Polish version of Fat Tuesday;  the Tuesday right before Ash Wednesday.  Traditionally it was a day to get rid of all the goodies in the house that you weren't allowed to have during Lent.  Such "goodies" as sugar & lard were mixed with flour & other ingredients to make the dough.  When the pastries were done, they were filled with all different kinds of jelly, cream, or custard.  

Martha Washington Bakery in Hamtramck

Today's typical "jelly donut" is not a "real" paczki.  The "real" paczki are only made just prior to Ash Wednesday & usually have more fattening ingredients added to them.  I believe each one has about 1000 calories in it.  It doesn't really matter though, because Ash Wednesday is a day of fast anyway.

On Paczki Day in Hamtramck, a lot of bars open early (about 7 am) & people party all day long to celebrate before Lent begins.  Bands play all day & radio stations broadcast from some of the bars.  The bakeries have lines that go around the block starting at 6 am or earlier.  The local news stations usually do interviews from a bakery or two.  Our 2.2 square mile city is wild & crazy & EVERYONE IS POLISH for a day!!!

For the first time in my working life, I have Paczki Day off!  I don't drink, but I'm sure I'll be out to get a paczki or two!

I wish you all a Happy February & I wave my Babcia's babushka in salute!  Nasdrowie!  (to your health)

Collette