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!
Tomorrow the diet begins!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,
