As is tradition here at the Casa du Borghese.....
While this day is not really a holiday, it always gives me fond memories of both grandmothers. Today is Fat Tuesday or as we call it here in Pennsylvania Dutch country, Fastnacht Day!!! A Fastnacht is a fluffy pastry similar in texture to a donut but does not have a hole and is not filled with any fillings. Most Fastnacht's are plain, sugar or powdered and are of a rectangular shape. So, if you imbibe today and it has a hole, it's not a true Fastnacht. Although a true Pennsylvania Dutch person will tell you they are served best warm and plain. The exact history of the Fastnacht seem to be a great debate, but Fat Tuesday is one day before the beginning of the forty days of the Lenten season that will lead up to Easter in the Christian tradition. There are many ingredients in them, including flour, fat, eggs, and lots of butter. Most of these items are given up for lent, and during this time, aren't consumed. The problem came about what to do with all these contents in the meantime before they spoil. So, the good people in Central and Eastern PA, where this day seems to be the most popular in the country, make tons of Fastnacht's to gorge the family on before fasting.
Every year since I was in my 20's, I can't help but think of the Mistress's maternal grandmother who was always in the kitchen this day making and frying hundreds of these things for the ladies' church function that they would have that day. Plus, she made extra generally for the whole neighborhood and our family. I can still smell them. In the later years, they took the Fastnacht making to the church kitchen and would sell them four to a bag. So even though she is gone, I always have to partake in at least one... or four Fastnacht's for the day. I headed over to Oak Grove Farms after work yesterday to pick up 8 boxes, 7 for work and a box for myself. The best part? I feared with egg prices being up, they might be more, but Oak Grove didn't up the price at all. I admit, I enjoyed one already...OMG...so light and airy.
Happy Fastnacht Day!
What a grand tradition! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI am not a person who craves sweets but I want one!
ReplyDeleteHappy Fastnacht Day!
They are so light and airy Bob. and not that sweet.
DeleteThey look delicious! Be round shortly! X
ReplyDeleteIt's pancake day here and for the first time in 43 years, I can't make any! We are having a new kitchen fitted. Bugger.
DeleteThat's what Marks and Spencer's for! 🧐 Jx
DeleteI don't know Christina...a new kitchen is hard to compete with.
DeleteFamily traditions are some of our happiest recollections of people and days gone by, and often have a food connection . I'm happy for you to have this is your memory bank, its value is priceless.
ReplyDeleteOh, what i wouldn't give for some of those....
ReplyDeleteOoh do those look good! So, no holes today?
ReplyDeleteHappy Fastnach Day indeed! I would love to have one myself.
ReplyDeleteLove this kind of tradition!
ReplyDeleteAnd now I want some dessert!!
XOXO
As Christina noted, you have Fastnacht, we have pancake-tossing! We really should visit Amsterdam at this time of year - it would be the only place we're ever likely to sample them.
ReplyDeleteOn a similar note - I think we have had this conversation before, but do you have oliebollen on New Year's Eve? [If that's not too rude a question 🤣] Jx
No Jon. But my own oliebollen have been enjoyed by many on New Years Eve.
DeleteIn Iceland they're known as Ástarpungar ('love balls'), so I guess that's appropriate. Jx
DeleteIch Liebe deine Tradition, genau wie die Fasnetküchle in Deutschland. :)
ReplyDeleteIm Rheinland haben wir Fasching in Aachen, Düsseldorf, Mainz und das festlichste Fasching in Köln.
(vvs)
Vielen Dank für den Kommentar, Leser! Ich frage mich selbst, ob diese Tradition nicht irgendwo in Deutschland entstanden ist.
DeleteI'll take one or two please. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo now I'm craving a sweet pastry. I've got bananas and gluten free flour, so I'll join you in celebrating Happy Fastnacht Day by baking up banana muffins.
ReplyDeleteOh my .... I have drooled all over my keyboard. I've never been able to speak German or Dutch but I absolutely adore a Fast Fuck. Sorry?! Oops... I mean a Fasnacht... doughnuts, that is. I usually suck all the jam out of them first. I recall when I live in England for a brief time, they had pancake races on Shrove Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, these sound divine!!! Perfect on a cold day with coffee. Enjoyed the part of your grandmother and you around her apron no doubt. And your co-workers must love you!
ReplyDeletePatience above! I forgot it was Mardi Gras. It may as well be Lent now.
ReplyDeleteMy mom and grandma used to make them, and they never powder sugared them.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy, then be a good boy if you can.
ReplyDeleteLive through Lent as the rich used to, faking it. They'd eat meat that the church alleged was fish.
ReplyDelete