The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Happy Fastnacht!

Noodlelady's picture
Noodlelady

Happy Fastnacht!

 Fastnachts

Fastnachts

A little history of Fastnacht.
It means "eve of the fast." The Pennsylvania Germans celebrate Fastnacht the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent by making this deep-fried dough. It was a way of using up the lard (fat) before the fasting of Lent. The recipe I used is from Edna Eby Heller's Dutch Cookbook (originally published in 1953) and is a yeast-raised version. There are unraised versions as well. The dough is rolled out and cut into square or diamond shapes then a slit is cut in the middle. Then they are deep-fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar. The traditional way to eat them is to slice horizontally (like a bagel) and spread with molasses or honey. 

So eat your Fastnachts today! They're good luck!

breadnerd's picture
breadnerd

Great photo and great description, I've officially learned something new today!

swtgran's picture
swtgran

Thank you for the lesson.  Beautiful fried breads.  Is that what they would be considered?

Noodlelady's picture
Noodlelady

Yes. They would be considered a fried bread or doughnut.

KipperCat's picture
KipperCat

Nice fried breads, and a nice tradition as well.