Fasnacht

A big motivator for us to visit Pennsylvania just before Ash Wednesday was hearing about Fasnacht (also spelled Fashnacht). We visited a shop that was selling them. It also had a sign explaining them as "fluffy donut treat served traditionally on Fasnacht Day (Shrove Tuesday), the day before Lent starts. Fasnachts were made as a way to empty the pantry of lard & fat which traditionally you fasted from during Lent. The Pennsylvania Deutch territory surrounding York & Lancaster, Pennsylvania celebrates the custom. Paczki's are round and filled with jelly, creme, lemon or custard filling. Pennsylvania Dutch Fashachts can be potato donuts and may be uncoated, powdered with granulated sugar or dusted with confectioner's sugar." The spelling was all in the original. Paczkis are a Polish equivalent of fasnachts.

One source of Fasnachts

We ordered a different one for everyone so we could get a good variety, though some people were less patient than others.

First attempt at taking a picture

Cinnamon sugar, plain, glazed, and powdered sugar fasnachts; also an eclair

We enjoyed them greatly though they were not too distinct from regular donuts.

Having a bite

Ready for more!

The store had another fun sign:

We'll be back in 2116; I'm sure they'll still be in business

We also went to a farm that was selling fasnachts made at church the day before. They were also tasty and a fun way to celebrate before the start of Lent. Read about the farm in the next post!