Bites Nearby: Paczki Day Primer

For my entire pre college education I went to Catholic schools. Where I went doesn't matter, but what should be noted is the Catholic tradition to fast during Lent, and feast before it. 

Paczki (the Polish jelly-filled delights pronounced poonch-kee) have a special place in my heart. I'm not referring to the physical place in my arteries each cholesterol laden dough ball calls home. The anticipation of delivery was similar to Christmas morning. Paczki were delivered to school by Hamtramck's Sweetheart Bakery.

We'd buy them by the dozen. Raspberry. Strawberry. Custard. Lemon. Prune.

In grade school, eating three paczki in a sitting was nothing. Fat, sugar, flour and fruit, these were more than doughnuts. With Lent starting the next day, some vice (as much as a kid could have a vice) was to be given up. Candy? Cake? Soda? None for the next 40 days and nights. Paczki day gave us a last chance to splurge.

Historically, Fat Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday) was the day to use up all of the cooking fats that are forbidden during lent. This means cooking paczki in lard is not only delicious, but keeping to Polish tradition.

If you ask 10 people, you will get 10 different answers if you ask, “How many calories are in a paczek?” Quite honestly, does it matter? If you're eating packzi, you're probably not counting calories anyway. Just sit back and enjoy the diet-destroying lusciousness.

In Grosse Pointe, will for sure carry paczki on March 8. They've been advertising them for weeks. Those closer to the village could also try Kroger on Kercheval or on Mack.

If you're feeling adventurous, head down to Hamtramck for the authentic experience. In just a few short minutes you'll be in the epicenter of Paczki Day in Detroit.

And ther will be a party. Small's Bar will be serving paczki bombs for $3.  Yes, these are paczki filled with alcohol (for adults only, of course).  

New Martha Washington Bakery is on Jos Campau in the heart of Hamtramck. They offer traditional paczki, and they accept credit cards.

If you're all "paczki-ed" out by lunch, stop by Maria's Comida in Hamtramck for some excellent Mexican-Asian fusion cuisine.