The late Rev. Richard Druckenbrod, of Allentown, PA, was a clergyman and an educator.  But he was also a preserver of Pennsylvania-German culture and heritage. 

Fastnacht Day in 2025 is Tuesday, March 4

Among his many accolades, in 1991 he was the recipient of the Governor's Award for Revitalization of the Pennsylvania-German Heritage and in 2001 he was recognized by the Pennsylvania Heritage Affairs Commission for one of its annual awards given to residents whose achievements foster awareness and understanding of the state's multicultural heritage.

            He once presented the question, "Which is correct, Pennsylvania-German or Pennsylvania-Dutch?"  His answer was that both are correct and both are wrong.  His reasoning was that the early German immigrants, when asked by the English, "What language do you speak?" the German would reply "Ich schwetz Deitsch" (I speak German).  The English would translate Deitsch or Deutsch as "Dutch" thinking of

There are several different recipe variations for fastnachts.

Holland Dutch.

            According to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, in 1683 a group of Quakers and Mennonites from a region of the Rhineland founded the city of Germantown, the first recorded German settlement in the English colonies.  By 1760, German immigrants made up one-third of the population of Philadelphia.

            The problem with the German designation is that there really was no German Republic before 1871.  The region was once made up of over 300 independent German states and Prussia and Austria were the two most powerful.  The German Empire dissolved in 1918, leading to the establishment of a German republic.

            Being of German ancestry in the United States wasn't popular at the end of World War I and less so after World War II leading to the increased popularity (and marketability) of using the Pennsylvania-Dutch term over what became to many, an embarrassment at being of Pennsylvania-German ancestry.

            Druckenbrod felt that because of the prejudice the Pennsylvania-Germans received, he could understand the situations other minorities faced.  Sadly, some still try to hide their ancestry today.

            But, at this time of year we Pennsylfawnish-Dietsch are happy to share one of our traditional favorites with everyone willing to try it; the Fastnacht Kucha (or fast night cake (or just plain fastnacht).

            It is indeed a Pennsylfawnish-Dietsch gutte (goodie).  It's the one delicacy where the best was usually found coming from mother's or grandmother's kitchen.

            There was a time when nearly every Pennsylvania-German home celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday with Fastnacht Daag (Day); the day before the fast.

            The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5 this year.  It was and still is observed by many with fasting or giving up your favorite food.  Fastnacht Day coincides with Shrove Tuesday and was utilized by the Pennsylfawnish-Dietsch to use up the lard and sugar they had on hand before the Lenten fast began.  Hence, some may think of it as a way to remove the temptation to break the fast, and a good Pennsylfawnish-Deitsch trencherman looks forward to the day.

            When we were younger, Fastnacht Day had more meanings in addition to the wonderful treats.  The last one out of bed becomes the "fastnacht" for the day and goes through the teasing all day by family members.  If schoolmates found out about it, you heard it from them too.  It was only for a day and all in good fun.

            There were farmers who would feed fastnachts to their chickens believing it would help keep the hawks away during the spring.   Some even thought it would help the hens lay more eggs.

            Fastnacht kucha can be square, round, or triangle-shaped – with or without a hole. 

            Mix flour, potatoes, yeast, perhaps an egg or two and some butter.  Knead, let it rise, cut to shape, then drop into boiling lard (or substitute a healthier alternative-but it won't taste as good).  Nowadays, you can get them plain, powdered with sugar, filled with whipped cream, or several other options.  To me, plain is still the best.

            So whether you call it a fastnacht kucha, or if your ancestors were indeed from the Netherlands and wore wooden shoes, feel free to call them snelle nachttart (fast night cake in Dutch)

            It's only one day a year – enjoy yourself.