It’s time for Polish paczki treats

Staff report

Eating paczki doughnuts is the traditional Polish way to indulge before the fasting in observance of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Although they look like jelly doughnuts, paczki are made from especially rich dough containing eggs, fats, sugar and sometimes milk. Traditionally, a small amount of “rectified spirit,” grain alcohol, is added to the dough. As it evaporates, it prevents the absorption of oil deep into the dough.

Again this year, Polish-Youngstown will sell these seasonal treats. Prepaid orders will be accepted through Feb. 10. They will be ready for pickup beginning at 7:30 a.m. Fat Tuesday morning, Feb. 17, at Kravitz Delicatessen Liberty, 3135 Belmont Ave. Youngstown, and at Kravitz’s Poland Library, 311 S. Main St.

Costs are $1.50 each and $15 per dozen with a preorder. Preordering is recommended.

Flavors available are apricot, custard, lekvar (plum), poppyseed, rosehip and sugared (plain).

Downloadable order forms can be found at www.polishyoungstown.org. Make checks payable to PolishYoungstown Inc. Give completed order forms to a PolishYoungstown team member or mail to PolishYoungstown Inc., P.O. Box 684, Youngstown, OH 44501.

For information call 330-746-8900 or 330-333-9724. All orders not picked up by noon will be sold. No refunds will be provided.

All proceeds go to benefit the children’s programming and scholarship fund.

To celebrate Fat Tuesday further, pick up your doughnut order and join a celebration complete with paczki and specialty omelets at Paczki, Polkas and Piwo starting at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 17. It will last all day at Kravitz Belmont Avenue and Poland Library locations.

Translated as Doughnuts, Dancing and Draft, this event will have music for toe tapping, food and drinks as well as games and giveaways.