People may not agree on how to pronounce them, but all are preparing to gobble up Paczkis on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Emigrants of Poland pronounce them "Pooch-key," or "Punch-key," or even "Poonch-key." All are correct.

These round, sugar-coated, fruit-filled Polish pastries were served up annually on the day before Lent, a period of abstinence observed by Roman Catholics. Originally, Paczkis were made for practical reasons -- to use up the lard and eggs that were prohibited during Lent. Now, they're more of a last-minute binge of sweets before the lenten sacrifice. Whatever their past, all enjoy the tasty treat Paczki, which means "little package" in Polish.

The New World version, like the old, begins as an extra large doughball, rich in egg yolks and deep fried, just like a donut. Each is then overfilled with blueberry, caramel apple, cherry, chocolate chiffon, cream cheese, custard, lemon, peach, peanut butter, prune, raspberry and strawberry. Then they are topped with a smooth sugar glaze or rolled in fine granulated sugar. It's 100 percent quality or it's not Paczki! And don't ask about calories; you just don't want to know! Besides, you can work 'em off during Lent.