Tuesday is a big day in Wisconsin, especially SE WI. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

Yes, they’re deep-fried, doughnut-like treats with a rich filling (often fruit, such as cherries or prunes) and sugar on top. Yes, they’re rooted in Polish tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages, eaten in the runup to Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. 

According to tradition, Polish households had to figure out a way to use up the fats and eggs in the house before the start of Lent, to avoid being tempted to break the seasonal fast. Making something to eat with all that stuff — like, say, pączki — accomplished the feat quite nicely.

People ask me to re-print his old blog of mine. And though it sounds crazy it turns out to be absolutely true. The allure, the addiction of paczki is mighty powerful.

Gotta have paczki. Got to. Click to read.