On fat Tuesday, Lansing-area bakeries churned out dozens of paczki to give local residents their last taste of goodness before the Lenten season starts today.

The notorious high-fat Polish pastries – which are actually pronounced “poonch-key” – are deep-fried and packed with a variety of sweet fillings, from cherry, to lemon to chocolate cream.

“I think they’re very decadent. It’s a good way to go out with a bang before people start eating healthy for Lent,” said Mama Bear’s Cafe owner Cecilia Garcia, who made about seven dozen raspberry and plum organic paczki at her shop in old Town.

Many mid-Michigan residents and people across the U.S. have adopted the Polish tradition of devouring paczki before the start of the sacrificial season of Lent, which begins today with Ash Wednesday.

Bakeries bring on the paczki ahead of Lent