Not many people know the origin of these lovely doughnuts. You see, in olden times, bakers knew, at the beginning of Lent, that they had to get rid most of their stock. Instead of cakes and doughnuts and cupcakes, their customers were more interested in Lenten edibles like fish and lentils. I imagine times were pretty lean for bakers until Easter Sunday.
Some smart baker somewhere (in Poland, I would guess, because of the name) created the paczki. A paczki is a doughnut that has about twenty times the eggs, sugar, and jelly/custard of normal doughnuts. Bakers use up their inventory so it won't go to waste. Traditionally, they are only made on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. People eat them as a last "hurrah" before 47 days of sacrifice and penance. Sort of like packing on extra insulation for a long winter.
This Tuesday, I will be consume at least two paczkis. Possibly more. They will be heavy with glaze and jelly. I will even eat a prune paczki in a pinch. Lent is almost upon us.
Saint Marty needs him some Polish pastry.
Confessions of Saint Marty
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