In Pennsylvania Dutch country, Shrove Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent, is known as "Fastnacht Day." The Pennsylvania Dutch celebrate Shrove Tuesday by eating yeast raised potato doughnuts, which are lovingly known as Fastnachts.
Fastnacht is German for "Fast Night". Fastnacht Day is a day to forget about dieting and a slim waistline and feast on doughnuts! It's a custom that had its beginnings with the plain people in this area. Making Fastnachts helped to use up the fat and sugar they had on hand before the Lenten fast began.
Although doughnuts with holes are frequently sold as Fastnachts in supermarkets this time of year, a real Fastnacht should never have a hole in the center!
Pennsylvania Dutch Fastnachts are usually plain and eaten with maple syrup or are coated in powdered sugar. I prefer the powdered sugar ones! The bakery where I purchased my Fastnachts today actually had a makeshift drive-through this morning where people going to work could buy their Fastnachts without getting out of the car!
The winner of the "So Happy Together" Pillow is: Debbie Blair! Congrats, Debbie! I sent you an e-mail last night and hope to hear from you soon!
Blessings,
Hmmm, I'm for any excuse to eat donuts! :)
ReplyDeleteOh Doreen ~ I just saw that I won! Thank you so much!! :) I never received your email. I will try to send you an email with my info.
ReplyDeleteI remember growing up there was a girl in my class whose family celebrated fausnaut day. We were all jealous!
ReplyDeleteDoreen, I've never had Fastnacht, but I must say, they do look wonderful. I've only been to Pennsylvania Dutch country once and have been wanting to go back ever since. The place we stayed at was called Willow Valley Inn in Lancaster, PA. I received an email from them recently and , because of the economy, they were closing the Inn. It was a lovely place and they had a smorgasbord that was wonderful. There was also a lovely little white chapel. My husband and I will always cherish the time we spent there.
ReplyDeleteI can't even tell you how much I miss the Fastnacht's I knew growing up in Lebanon!
ReplyDeleteDoreen I never had one but I sure would love one right about now!!
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