Fat Tuesday in West Seattle: Paczki mania at Metropolitan Market

Meet “paczkis” (pronounced “POONCH-keys”). They’re a Polish donut, traditional on Fat Tuesday as Polish Catholic homes’ kitchens were cleaned out of all the bad gluttonous stuff you’re not supposed to have around for Lent. They’re also on sale at Metropolitan Market – and a big crazy event was staged late this morning at the Admiral store to start a new Fat Tuesday tradition. It was supposed to be a paczki-carrying race around the store, and eating contest, but the morning rain forced a change in plan – eating contest only. Competitors came from all around the locally based Metropolitan Market chain; when they were done stuffing their faces, there was a tie, so there had to be an “eat-off” featuring the coaches who’d been cheering the original paczki-eaters on – here’s the entire one and a half minute “eat-off” (the guys in referee shirts, by the way, are Metro Market top brass):

(video no longer available due to blip.tv shutdown)

The winners: The team from Queen Anne’s Metropolitan Market. Admiral’s home team came in second (led by Preston, whose campaign-style sign you can see in this photo):

P.S. If you’re looking for other signs of Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras spirit, Talani at Stor-More (WSB sponsor) on Yancy east of Avalon sends word via Facebook that you can stop by for free beads (and candy!).

12 Replies to "Fat Tuesday in West Seattle: Paczki mania at Metropolitan Market"

  • Junction Shopper February 24, 2009 (2:14 pm)

    Bakery Nouveau also has Paczkis and they are DELICIOUS.

  • Venkat February 24, 2009 (2:27 pm)

    Bakery Nouveau had some over the weekend as well – I had never heard of them until recently!

  • Shannon February 24, 2009 (2:45 pm)

    Yes! Bakery Nouveau’s were delish!!!

  • d February 24, 2009 (2:58 pm)

    Oh boy…

    Between the Girl Scout cookies and these paczkis, my resistance to all things fat and sugary is really wearing down.

    Stop already WSB!

  • WSB February 24, 2009 (3:01 pm)

    OK, guess we better get back to more edible-garden posts. Speaking of which, on the Events calendar, another Delridge Produce Co-op meeting tonight :) – TR

  • marco February 24, 2009 (3:11 pm)

    If anyone cares, in Germany those are called Krapfen and I miss them :)

  • ann February 24, 2009 (4:18 pm)

    I was in Germany on Krapfentag this year. What a great day. A day to eat donuts!

  • JanS February 24, 2009 (4:37 pm)

    anyone from the east coast, mostly Pennsylvania Dutch country familiar with fastnachts? They were always made in the churches on Shrove Tuesday aka Mardi Gras day, the day before Ash Wednesday..

    http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_11766653

  • junctionite February 24, 2009 (4:55 pm)

    As a native Detroiter now living in West Seattle, Paczkis are a welcomed arrival!! Not traditional, but the chocolate at Bakery Noyveau were great!

  • lashanna February 25, 2009 (7:58 am)

    yes, as another native detroiter- we were so happy to have indulged yesterday… it had been years.. for the people who couldn’t make it over, Paczkis are being backed in backpacks and delivered to the office this morining!! How much fun!

  • stephanie February 26, 2009 (2:02 am)

    I’m not from detroit, but my boyfriend grew up just outside of detroit (pontiac), and he was SO stoked when he was paczkis at met market… I guess one of the bakers there is from MI and wanted to start this tradition here- They are aaaamazing, and I am totally bummed that they are gone now! :(

  • Tristan February 27, 2009 (3:35 pm)

    FYI to all! Paczki Pre-orders for next year are available, please email me tambrose@metropolitan-market.com, I will be sure to send you out a reminder that Paczki day is coming and we will be happy to take pre-orders for you!
    Thanks to all for coming, see you next year!

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