DON’T FORGET FASTNACHTS!

Another name for Fat Tuesday: Fastnacht Day. The Pennsylvania Dutch doughnuts allowed families to use up sugar and fat before Lent.

You can find them, for example, at Beiler’s Bakery in the Reading Terminal Market and Dice’s Creative Cakes in Boyertown, among other establishments in the region. Or fry your own with a recipe from Rising Sun Inn in Telford.

Prefer a demonstration? Head to the Peter Wentz Farmstead in Worcester this Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A cook will prepare these and other pre-Lenten treats. Suggested donation: $2 per person.

Fastnachts: Raised Potato Doughnuts INGREDIENTS

1 package dry yeast 1½ cups lukewarm water 2/3 cups sugar 2/3 cups shortening 2 eggs 1 cup instant mashed potatoes (prepared) 1½ teaspoons salt 7 to 7½ cups sifted all-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS

Method for mixing: Place water into large pan (one that will

be half full when all ingredients have been added). Add yeast.

Meanwhile, prepare instant potatoes with electric mixer. Add shortening, sugar, salt and eggs. Beat after each addition. Add this

mixture to yeast and water. Stir and add half of flour. Continue mixing and add most of flour. When too stiff to stir, turn onto floured surface and add as much flour as necessary to prevent sticking. Knead until smooth. Place back into pan and let rise in warm place (85 degrees) until double in size (about 1½ hours). Punch down and let rise ½ hour.

Punch down and roll out for doughnuts. Roll dough approximately 3/8-inch thick. Cut with doughnut cutter or any sharp edge (3½-inch diameter makes a nice size doughnut). Place ½ inch apart on ungreased tray or cookie sheet. Let rise 30 to 45 minutes uncovered. Tops should be without wrinkles and puffed up when ready to fry.

Fry in deep fat (375 degrees) until golden brown, about 1½ minutes on each side. Drain on absorbent paper. To sugar with granulated sugar, place into paper bag with sugar while hot. For powdered sugar, wait until cold. Makes 2 to 3 dozen doughnuts, depending on what size you make them.