Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Happy Fastnacht Day

Fastnachts, a Pa. Dutch Shrove Tuesday Tradition
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."
The name "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. 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, those who know their doughnuts will tell you that a real Fastnacht should never have a hole in the center.
The fastnachts above are ones I bought at a supermarket, but are yummy! My family always ate them dipped in sugar, we usually have a bowl of sugar and dip it in right before taking a bite!
(spell checker does not like the word fastnacht and has no suggestions!)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I like it very much!