The Public Opinion Soapbox

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

Please forgive the frivolity of this question, but with the wonderful holiday of Fastnacht Day coming up, I'm desperate to find a church or some other place (not Giant or Dunkin' Donuts) from which I can order authentic fastnachts for my office. Can anyone help?
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The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands. ~Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 522

Hey, thanks for asking the question, Bobo. I'm interested in knowing that too. The YMCA used to sell fastnachts, but I don't think they do that anymore. Last year Sunnyway had fastnachts advertised, but they were just regular glazed donughts. (bought them anyway Smile

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Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

Please forgive the frivolity of this question, but what is the difference between a fastnacht and a glazed donut? I was under the impression that they were just bigger. Kind of a bagel-sized donut.

I guess I could look it up, but I figure you guys would know even better.

Me!!!!!!!! · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 305

I just saw that Country Breeze (on 11 before Marion across from Cebco) is taking orders. I think you can order til the day before and I think the sign said 4.89 a dozen.
It is ran by mennonites so I bet they are good!

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 522

Pa dutch fastnachts are made with potatoes. The fastnachts that the Y made were dense and cake-y and I don't think they had potato in them. That's about as much as I know. Both are different from your standard glazed donut.

Thanks for the tip, Me!!!

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

From Wiki: 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. ... In bakeries they are made round, like standard doughnut size, but without holes in the middle and can be bought all year round. The home-made varieties come in other shapes, usually triangles. ... The German version is made from a yeast dough, deep fried, and coated or dusted 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).
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The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands. ~Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

I believe lard may be involved, in the Pa. Dutch tradition.

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

OK, so they are selling fastnachts at that place on Rt. 11. But doesn't anybody know of any other place? A church? Please help.
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The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands. ~Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923

Junk Yard · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Shippensburg

Back in the day when I was a Cub Scout, Many, many moons ago, we used to go around town selling them door to door and they were purchased from a local bakery. I guess with things being what they are in todays society, it is just too dangerous for young boys or girls to be going door to door selling Fastnachts.

hanginout · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 77

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 373 Location: On the Computer

When we lived in Germay, Facshing season really began in earnst with parties galore at 11:00 p.m. on 11 Nov the year preceding. The new Fasching King and Queen would be crowned. Throughout the Holiday season and into Karneval, festivities would be everywhere! The German Fastnachten were the best in the world!

What I can't understand here is...why in the world does Shippensburg hold their Annual Fasching Dinner after Lent begins? Who wants to eat a beef after Lent and before Easter? That is not the time for partying.

Oh, but give me some real fastnachten!
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Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way.

I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg