Food + Drink
Paczki are Polish donuts made with a sweet filling, like jelly or cream, and dusted with powdered sugar on the top. They’re usually enjoyed on Fat Tuesday, which is the last day before Lent begins.
Paczki were originally created as both a way to indulge before Lent and a way to use up ingredients that people typically stopped consuming during this time, like sugar, butter, and milk.
That’s primarily due to the number of Polish immigrants in the area. Chicago has a large Polish population, so it’s not surprising they brought their jelly-filled doughnuts with them. They could have left the wind, though.
The Polish treat is pronounced “pohnch-kee.” And keep in mind, that is the plural form. The word “paczkis” is not real. If for some wild reason, you’re only getting one, the word is paczek, pronounced “pohnch-eck.”