Pączki Day!

[JungMann]

For Midwestern ex-pats like myself, today is Pączki Day: the Thursday before Lent and the beginning of pączki season. Polish-Americans (and their fans) down these lard-enriched doughnuts, glazed in sugar and filled with creamy custard or jammy fruits, in preparation for the privations of Lent. In New York, however, the paczek doesn't seem to get the same respect it does in the Midwest. I've seen the shout-out on Serious Eats, but does anyone else have any recommendations on where to find pączki: the king of Polish pastries?

[heWho]

It makes me sick to say this, but wouldn't these be illegal to sell in NY since their made with lard? Is there a loophole, since this is essentially tied to a religious holiday? If not, there should be!!

[MMRuth]

Why would lard be illegal?

[heWho]

My bad, I thought lard contained trans fat for some reason

[bobjbkln]

Lard has ZERO Transfat (except for a tiny natural amount) which is the only fat banned in NYC.

[MMRuth]

Thanks - that was what I was thinking as well.

[LNG212]

And actually I think it's only artificial transfat that's banned (not natural).

[LNG212]

Did you see this post on Serious Eats? http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2009/0...

It looks like only one place they list is in Manhattan. But maybe you could try there.

[JungMann]

There are some other places in the same neighborhood like the Pierogi Deli and the small Polish store across the street. I was hoping someone could give feedback on where to get the good stuff, especially since it seems everyone's only carrying confiture.