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Poles savour pączki on ‘Fat Thursday’

24.02.2022 15:30
Many Poles were reaching for doughnuts on “Tłusty Czwartek”, or “Fat Thursday,” a last chance for some calorie-heavy indulgence before the traditional rigours of Lent.
Image: Michal Jarmoluk
Image: Michal Jarmoluk Pixabay licence

Polish doughnuts, or pączki, are balls of yeast dough that are traditionally fried in lard, topped with icing sugar and typically filled with jam or marmalade.

In recent years, vegan versions have been growing in popularity.

Pączki have been the snack of choice on Fat Thursday since the 17th century and, according to superstition, not eating one brings bad luck for a year.

Fat Thursday is a kind of last hurrah before Lent, a period of fasting and solemn reflection for Roman Catholics in the run-up to Easter.

It can be compared to Shrove Tuesday or pancake Tuesday observed in some other parts of the world.