Fried Up on Fat Tuesday

Fat Tuesday is a day to indulge in excess - and no doubt gain a few pounds -as many satisfy their sweet tooth before the start of Lent.

Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday," is the day before Ash Wednesday and marks the start of the period of fasting and abstinence for Christians. For many, that means giving up a favorite treat for the 40 days before Easter.

Here's a look at how people are celebrating, and perhaps, increasing their waistlines, on this day of indulgence.

King Cake
In New Orleans and beyond, king cakes are the sweet, star attraction of the Mardi Gras season.

The circular, braided cinnamon-roll-like cakes are topped with icing and colored sugar - typically green, gold and purple.

But be careful - a plastic baby, or small trinket, is placed inside the cake after it is baked. The person who bites into the piece typically has to provide the next king cake.

King cakes can be plain or filled with fruit, cream cheese or a variety of other mixtures.

Paczki
In Polish communities in the Midwest, especially Detroit and Chicago, Fat Tuesday is more commonly known as Paczki Day (pronounced Pach-kee), where long lines form at local bakeries just to taste this doughy delight.

The treats, which resemble oversized donuts, are filled with creams and jellies and are topped with powdered sugar. A typical Paczki packs about 600 calories.

Fastnacht and Kinklings
Sweet, fried dough is popular in many regions and countries and goes by different names.

German American populations, such as in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, celebrate Fastnacht Day with the fastnacht - fried potato dough served with dark corn syrup.

A close cousin to paczki and fastnacht are kinklings, a doughy treat fried up in a variety of shapes.

Pancakes
Donuts and pancakes are associated with Lent because they were a way to purge pantries of rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of Lent.

In the United Kingdom and elsewhere, Pancake Day is celebrated with
a thin, flat cake made of batter and fried in a pan and crowned with
sweet or savory toppings.

In England, pancake races mark the day - and many churches hold pancake breakfasts or dinners as fundraisers.

Hot Cross Buns
And to mark the end of the Lenten season? Hot cross buns, of course.

The sweet yeast rolls studded with raisins or currants and marked with a cross made of icing are traditionally consumed on Good Friday and throughout the Easter season.