Place the paczki (pronounced “poonch-kee”) orders and get ready to gluttonize.

Paczki Day, a full 24 hours dedicated to downing Polish doughnuts, is traditionally celebrated on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. This year, the celebration of the deep-fried treat falls on Feb. 12.

While paczki are generally seen as synonymous with doughnuts, the Polish dessert is traditionally a bit different than what you might find at a nearby Tim Hortons. According to a Catholic News Service article, paczki dough is slightly different than the average doughnut in that it is fluffier than it is doughy. The seasonal sweet biscuits are generally filled with jellies or jams.

So, where can one find a traditional paczki? According to the Paczki Day Facebook page, these bakeries sell the Polish fried goods:

Chrusciki Bakery - Broadway Market, Buffalo; 80 W. Drullard Ave, Lancaster
D & L Bakery -  424 Penora St., Depew
Mazurek’s Bakery - 543 South Park Ave., Buffalo
Melanie’s Sweets - Broadway Market, Buffalo
Pumpernick ‘N’ Pastry - 2059 Clinton St., Kaisertown, Buffalo
White Eagle Bakery - Broadway Market, Buffalo

Paczki Day is more than just a day of eating doughnuts. It symbolizes Polish heritage and hints at the start of the Lenten season, a somber occasion for many Christians. Like cultural equivalents Fasnacht Day, Mardi Gras, Carnival and Fat Tuesday, Paczki Day is a time to party. Join in the doughnut-loving fun at these events: