Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, is a day of indulgence before the Lenten season begins. This celebration is adapted from many different cultures– Carnivale, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, and more. One of our favorite ways to celebrate has been adapted from Polish culture because what’s a more glorious indulgence than paczki! These Polish pastries are a deep-fried delight, a symbol of sweet surrender before a period of fasting.
Imagine a rich, slightly sweet yeast dough, fried to golden perfection, and then filled with a variety of delicious fillings. Unlike a regular donut, paczki are made with extra eggs and butter , giving them a richer, denser texture.
Fat Tuesday is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) and National Paczki Day is the Thursday before that. This is because in Poland many people indulge in Paczki on the Thursday before Lent, known as Fat Thursday or Tlusty Czwartek.
Historically, paczki were made to use up all the butter, sugar, eggs, and fruit in the house before Lent. They were a way to celebrate and indulge before the restrictions of the season. Today, they’re a beloved tradition, especially in Polish communities around the world, and increasingly, by anyone who appreciates a truly great pastry.
This year we will be offering both traditional 6 packs and our very own gourmet paczki both in a variety of flavors!
The traditional flavors include
- Raspberry
- Bavarian Cream
- Strawberry
- Apricot
- Rosehip
- Blueberry
- Plum
Our gourmet flavors include
- Strawberry & Panna
- Banana Custard
- Cherry Cream Cheese
- Apple
- Nutella
- Boston Creme
- Cannoli
You can pre-order your paczki now and be ahead of the game! Everybody who pre-orders is eligible to win a $25 Caputo’s gift card!
Pre-order here
Paczki are more than just a sweet treat. They’re a cultural tradition, a symbol of celebration, and a reminder to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. So, this Fat Tuesday, embrace the indulgence, grab a paczek (or two!), and savor the moment.
We will also have traditional Mardis Gras items available like kings cakes, rice, sausage, shrimp, and more!
