Wednesday, March 02, 2011

xxx

Lent Will be Here Soon

Got Pฤ…czki?


As you already know from my previous writing on the subject, pฤ…czki ("poonch-kee") are Polish style jelly donuts available the year around from any self respecting Polish bakery.

But there is a single day, little known, the zenith day for pฤ…czki. It comes just before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, variously celebrated on Fat Thursday (that would be tomorrow!) or Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). On Pฤ…czki Day, to meet demand, the number of pฤ…czki made for sale jumps 10X . I suggest you call ahead and place an order. Recommended varieties: apricot and raspberry jam, rose (the flower) jam, and bavarian cream. But, do not leave without mass quantities filled with Powidล‚a (prune butter)---the ne plus ultra (pronounced "po-veed-wa".) [A diagonal mark across the letter L, written as "ล‚" in the Polish language, is pronounced "wa". And, just so you are thoroughly aware of the upside down nature of the Polish mind---one of which I happen to have... so I can comment... --- the letter W is pronounced as an English "V". Go figure.]

If you want to get in on the festivities, do check with your local Polish baker to find out on what day they will be honoring that fabulous fabled fried fritter; probably Fat Thursday [It took me several years to get it straight about which day was Pฤ…czki Day. I would typically saunter in on Fat Tuesday and receive a wilting look from the lovely sales girl at the bakery. In fact, I dearly remember Pฤ…czki Day from my youth; but it wasn't until my wizzoned adult years that I finally figured out on what day it fell and its significance. Thank you, Google. Thank you, Internet. Thank you jelly. Thank you, Alanis Morissette---Thank U.]

For a truly beatific experience, while you are buying your pฤ…czki, also ask for chruล›ciki ("krus-chee-kee"), another traditional favorite at this time of year. Chruล›ciki---when they are made right---are as light and tender as angels' wings. In fact, translated, chruล›ciki means "angel wings."  As my mother would say, "Be an angel, pass the chruล›ciki." But watch out for all that powdered sugar; it's a real game changer if you are wearing your favorite black slacks or that little black dress. They can be little devils plenty if you don't partake with precision and perspicacity. [I honor the letter "P", for pฤ…czki; get it? Really, get some.]

Additionally... I have also suggested that Voodoo Doughnuts be ready for the action. When in Portland, look them up. Find out for yourself what they are talking about when they say "the magic is in the hole."



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