Fasnachts
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Fastnachts, Fasnachts or Faschnachts are a fatty doughnut treat served primarily on Fastnacht Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. Fastnachts were produced as a way to empty the pantry of fat and butter, which were forbidden during Lent. The pastry's name derives from Fastnachtsküchle or Fasnetskiachle ("little Carnival cakes"), the southwestern German dialect term for pastries known throughout Germany under a wide variety of names (e.g., Krapfen, Kreppel, Berliner, Pfannkuchen).
This treat is found mainly in Germany and also in southeastern Pennsylvania (particularly Philadelphia) and most of Pennsylvania Dutch country (where they are often called "Fauschnauts"). The German version is made from a yeast dough, deep fried, and coated in sugar or cinnamon sugar; they may be plain, or filled with fruit jam. Pennsylvania Dutch Fastnachts are made from potato dough and fried, often coated with sugar (either powdered or granular).
Fastnachts are not round with a hole in the middle. They are either square (to represent the four gospels of the bible) or triangular (to represent the Trinity) in shape.
There is more than one way to spell Fastnacht. This is due to the fact that the language at the time was spoken and not written. When events began to be recorded, as writing and reading became more the norm, the word was spelled out phonetically. The way that people spell Fastnacht depends mainly on the region where they live. All forms are correct.
Many Catholic churches in Pennsylvania feature Fastnacht sales as a fundraiser.
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If you're eating Fausnachts in Berks County Pa, you have to have Turkey syrup with them. That is the tradition. I am Pennsylvania Dutch but never liked Fausnachts. Even so, every year the family has to have them and they are just not right without Turkey syrup.
