I spent years surrounded by Italians and Irish, and absorbing those cultural traditions. Now that I'm in the rural suburbs of Philadelphia, I'm learning words like Fastnacht. Yes, today is Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, or, as it is known in Pennsylvania Dutch country, Fastnacht. It's the day before Ash Wednesday, when the Easter season begins. Time to eat all the rich, delicious foods you want, because we're supposed to be abstemious on Wednesday.
What does one do on Fastnacht in Pennsylvania? Visit your friendly neighborhood fire department and buy fresh, delicious doughnuts, of course! Plain, cinnamon, or powdered sugar. Hot from the fryer and better than any fresh doughnut I've ever had.
Learning about local food traditions is a great way to get to know an area (just ask Anthony Bourdain), so I'm planning to post more often on Pennsylvania food. Just not the pizza. Don't ask about the pizza. Pepe's, you are missed...
I just went to Pepe's last week! Those donuts look pretty good until the next time you are home in CT!
ReplyDeleteMy aunt has a horse farm in rural PA (south of you though). There are far more horses and buggies than cars on the road when you get within about 20 miles of the farm. It's like a whole different, beautiful world. Those donuts look like pretty tasty bonus to your new home! Have fun exploring your new surroundings!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you explained this! I've been seeing the word Fastnacht everywhere in the past day and had no idea what it meant. Those doughnuts look insanely good!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun tradition! I wish the firehouse down the street from me had doughnuts this past tuesday
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