Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - This Tuesday is known as "Fat Tuesday", "Shrove Tuesday", "Mardi Gras", and, of course, the day before Lent. However, in Western New York, it's known as "Paczki Day".
Pronounced Poonch-kee, it is an old Polish tradition, and these massive jelly donuts are being sold and devoured by the dozens.
"We had about 200 dozen Paczki's pre-ordered and we're making about 300 dozen more," said Margo McMahon with Mazurek's Bakery in Buffalo's Old First Ward.
"It's my understanding that this is a Polish tradition of getting rid of fats and sugars in the house before the Lenten season. That's why we make this enriched donut with extra butter and extra sugar for people to have a last treat before Ash Wednesday."
Mazurek's not only sells Paczki's, but also Fasnachts, and King Cakes.
King Cakes are a New Orleans tradition for Mardi Gras.
"We make a sweet dough and we fill it with different kinds of cream cheese frosting such as cinnamon, strawberry or almond. We ice it with Mardi Gras sprinkles on top. There's a little plastic baby that's hidden in the cake. Whoever gets the slice with the baby is supposed to have prosperity and luck for the next year," she added.
How early do bakers have to get up in the morning to start making all of this?
"I've been here since 10 p.m. last night," said McMahon. "And we plan to be here until 4 p.m. Honestly, there is nothing like a fresh Paczki that has come out of the fryer and is glazed and filled."