Local Bakeries Gearing Up for March 8 - Fastnacht Day

If you’re from around here, you’re probably familiar with the tradition of Fastnacht Day. A fastnacht (also spelled fosnacht or fasnacht) is a simple pastry similar to a donut, usually made from fried potato dough. Originally, the fastnacht was served with dark corn syrup, although today they are sometimes powdered with sugar or filled with jam.

Fastnacht Day is Tuesday, March 8, not coincidentally the same day as Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) and the lesser-known Shrove Tuesday. Many cultures and religions celebrate the day in different ways and call it different things, but they all symbolize the same idea: get while the gettin’ is good.

The day after Fat Tuesday is Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent, the forty-day religious season. Back in the day, Lent meant fasting and prayer. So it stands to reason that the day before Lent, people would stuff themselves to the gills with fatty goodness. The fastnacht originated as a way to clear the cupboards of lard, butter and sugar, all those things you wouldn’t need while fasting.

Most supermarkets and bakeries will be offering the doughy delights this Tuesday. If you’re local and looking for the best place to pick up your fastnachts, here’s a few suggestions:

– Located on North Broad Street in Nazareth, Schubert's will open at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, and will stay open until they sell out of fasnachts, which go for $6/dozen. If you order them ahead of time, you must pick them up by 11 a.m.

– The Giant stores in Nazareth and Wind Gap will both be selling fasnachts at $5.99/dozen, all day until they’re out. Baking starts early, before 5 a.m., so heed the words while supplies last.

– The bakery at Wegmans starts their fasnacht baking around 3 a.m., and will sell until supplies run out. They sell for $7.80/dozen.

- Fastnachts are $6.50/dozen and are available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.