# Fat Tuesday/Pancake Day/Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday Treats **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 17, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922 "2015-02-17T16:42:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/1 "2015-02-17T16:42:10Z")
Anyone getting their Fat on today? What are you eating? We never did too much when I was growing up. If my mom remembered, we’d have pancakes for dinner. We were raised Lutheran, and my dad was Mennonite, so Lent was almost a non-thing when I was growing up. I had plenty of Catholic friends, and my mom was raised Catholic, so I knew all the traditions surrounding Lent. They just weren’t a thing at our church. My mom is getting back in touch with her Catholic roots so I’m enjoying all the interesting customs and rituals that go along with that. Much more interesting than the Lutherans. I never had a [Pączki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%85czki) until I was in my 20s. I don’t eat them every year now, because I’m not much of a donut person. But this year I really wanted some. You have to get up and out early to get them sometimes. My mom went out to get ours this year around 9 AM and said there was slim’ pickins. I wanted a marshmellow one but only got fruit. Oh well. Mom got a dozen, to split with me and her and my brother. I’ve had two, and have two to go. Later. Anyone looking forward to fish frys? We’ve got a lot to choose from in our area. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/2 "2015-02-17T16:44:52Z")
Something meat related, as that’s what I’m giving up for Lent ;). And I’m Lutheran. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/3 "2015-02-17T16:52:15Z")
I made jambalaya Sunday. We had leftovers yesterday. There’s still plenty left for tonight if the SO wants to eat it again. (Yesterday I had a pretty good muffaletta for Lundi Gras lunch.) It’s just occurred to me that we have shrimp in the freezer and a tomato in the fridge. Maybe I’ll go get some French bread and lettuce, and we can have shrimp po’boys. If only I had a dozen friends in the area! I’d love to make jambalaya, shrimp gumbo, dirty rice, baked macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, cornbread, and (if I could find it) Dixie beer. I wish I had some zydeco. EDIT: I didn’t mean I’d _make_ Dixie beer. Just that I’d love to have somma dat cheap-ass stuff with the food. . ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/4 "2015-02-17T17:01:20Z")
Paczki here, too. We go for Friday fish frys fairly regularly, but usually tend to avoid them during Lent because they get too busy. The exception is that it is also the beginning of Smelt season! So I will brave the crowds for an all-you-can-eat Smelt fry. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/5 "2015-02-17T17:06:31Z")
I thought I was going to miss out on packzi today since I had a rushed morning and knew they’d be gone by this afternoon. But our wonderful office manager brought in a box today so I’m in Fat Tuesday heaven. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/6 "2015-02-17T18:05:26Z")
> [@](#): > > We go for Friday fish frys fairly regularly, but usually tend to avoid them during Lent because they get too busy. Huh, around here, Lent is the only time you get Friday fish fries. My German/Irish family traditionally has pancakes for Fat Tuesday (though homemade donuts of some sort are also not unheard-of). I was delighted in grad school when a Russian student invited me over for her culture’s traditional pre-Lent celebration… which is also pancakes. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/7 "2015-02-17T18:08:01Z")
This year marks the 8th time I’ve brought in a King Cake for the office at this employer, and I did it for 4 years before that at the previous. I set myself reminders. 🙂 This year I also brought in a dozen packzi for some variety. Mmmm, powdered sugar lemon packzi. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/8 "2015-02-17T18:11:26Z")
I have pancake batter all ready to go, and most of the stuff I need for jambalaya in the fridge. Or maybe I’ll make shrimp etoufee instead. Been a long time since I cooked Cajun, yessiree! ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/9 "2015-02-18T03:45:06Z")
We did the usual all-day pancake dinner at church with Pastor doing most of the cooking. The inside joke is that’s where us Lutherans get the ashes from for the next day. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/10 "2015-02-18T03:52:57Z")
For some reasons Hawaiians make [Malasadas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malasada) on Fat Tuesday. Malasadas are a Portuguese dish, I assume transplanted to Hawaii by Portuguese Sailors. They’re common in this area also because of the Portuguese influence going back centuries. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/11 "2015-02-18T03:54:33Z")
> [@](#): > > I never had a Pączki until I was in my 20s. I don’t eat them every year now, because I’m not much of a donut person. But this year I really wanted some. You have to get up and out early to get them sometimes. My mom went out to get ours this year around 9 AM and said there was slim’ pickins. I wanted a marshmellow one but only got fruit. Oh well. if they weren’t from an actual Polish bakery, they’re not pączki. Store-bought ones are just jelly doughnuts. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/12 "2015-02-18T04:26:28Z")
I had a large steak and cheese calzone for lunch as my last meal. For dessert tonight, lemon pound cake and baklava. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/13 "2015-02-18T04:32:15Z")
> [@Indyellen](#): > > This year marks the 8th time I’ve brought in a King Cake for the office at this employer, and I did it for 4 years before that at the previous. I set myself reminders. 🙂 This year I also brought in a dozen packzi for some variety. Mmmm, powdered sugar lemon packzi. Nobody brought a King Cake to work this year. ☹ The person who usually does it was in court all day. A very nice birthday cake was brought in for our Big Boss’s birthday - but he didn’t come in today because he’s sick. So we called his cell phone and sang Happy Birthday when his voicemail picked up, took photos of the cake, and ate it in his honor. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/14 "2015-02-18T15:19:08Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > if they weren’t from an actual Polish bakery, they’re not pączki. Store-bought ones are just jelly doughnuts. Uh…thank you? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/15 "2015-02-18T16:57:37Z")
Anyhow, I bought three paczki yesterday–rosehip, plum butter, and Bavarian cream–with a dusting of powdered sugar. I forgot to eat them! I think there may be half of one left after my wife and dog got to them. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/16 "2015-02-18T17:48:09Z")
> [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](#): > > Nobody brought a King Cake to work this year. ☹ The person who usually does it was in court all day. My husband brought one into work for the first time last year. After he got several emails asking where the King Cake was, he left the office to go to the bakery and pick one up. He’s trapped now. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/17 "2015-02-18T18:43:47Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Uh…thank you? Paczki taste best with a dollop of superiority. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/18 "2015-02-18T20:54:50Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Paczki taste best with a dollop of superiority. and prune jam. gotta have prunes 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/19 "2015-02-18T21:18:06Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > and prune jam. gotta have prunes 😉 The traditional plum-based ones are not prune jam (although it’s sometimes [mis]translated as such.) It’s _powidla_, which is made from stewed Damson plums and sugar, and more properly translated as “plum butter.” ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922/20 "2015-02-18T22:02:02Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Huh, around here, Lent is the only time you get Friday fish fries. I would venture that 95% of restaurants in Wisconsin offer a Friday fish fry year-round. As an example, Calumet County Wisconsin (which only has a population of ~50,000 people) published a map this year of all of the restaurants offering fish fries in the county. There are **71**. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tuesday-pancake-day-mardi-gras-shrove-tuesday-treats/712922.md?page=2)