Paczki Season Has Arrived Across the Midwest

My little Polish heart is filled to the brim, just like these seasonal donuts.

Pączki are filled doughnuts found in Polish cuisine that usually make an appearance around Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday.

Traditional paczki share some common elements: sweet filling, dough, grain alcohol, icing or bits of dried orange zest, and lots of powdered sugar. These super-sweet treats are meant to be savored before the 40 days of lent and fasting get underway.

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In some areas of the Midwest, there is even a Paczki day, held the Thursday before Mardi Gras. (This year it would be Thursday, February 16, 2023, and Ash Wednesday is February 22nd.)

My personal favorite flavor combination of the dessert is one that is filled with custard and dipped in chocolate. It is a super special treat that is made extra special by it only being available for a limited time every year.

Other popular flavors are raspberry, apple, and I've even seen lemon filled. All will be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

There are a lot of Minnesotians with Polish roots. According to MinnPost, 1 in 20 residents of Minnesota are of Polish ancestry. Especially in central Minnesota. South Dakota has a smaller population of people with Polish heritage

People of Scandinavian and German descent are the dominant groups in Minnesota and South Dakota's populations. In fact, in SD you may know paczki as Bismarcks.

Polish and proud, enjoy your paczki proudly my fellow Polaks!