ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Fastnacht Day is the perfect time to indulge in the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch treat, while supplies last.<\/p>\n
Bakeries all around the region have been busy whipping up the fried potato doughnuts, fulfilling thousands of orders.<\/p>\n
In Lehigh County, the IronPigs’ annual Fastnacht Day tradition will be making a comeback for its 6th year. People love supporting the team, a lot of season ticketholders buy their fastnachts from the IronPigs.<\/p>\n
“It’s a secret recipe,” said concession worker Paul Demaria.<\/p>\n
This year, IronPigs Head Chef Alessandro Buccino and his team started making them at 7:30 Monday morning.<\/p>\n
“I always enjoy doing this. That’s why I do my job. I do it with love,” said Buccino.<\/p>\n
They’ve fried 125 dozen fastnachts in a variety of flavors.<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be a few minutes in the deep fryer. Four or five minutes. The we let them sit and then we box them up, with some glaze, powdered sugar or just plain,” said Buccino.<\/p>\n
The batches are then brought down to the team clubhouse store to be picked up.<\/p>\n
Some buy for the taste.<\/p>\n
“They’re fresh and they’re yummy. Better than any store,” said Hilary Fischl of Bethlehem.<\/p>\n
Some people buy them for team loyalty.<\/p>\n
“I used to work at a bakery a long time ago in Phillipsburg, and they made really good fastnachts. We don’t really have a bakery close by, so when I saw the Iron Pigs were doing it- we’re season ticket holders- I said, ‘We’re going to go to the Iron Pigs and get fastnachts’,” said Linda Kish of Phillipsburg, N.J.<\/p>\n
For the team, and for the cooks, it’s a home run.<\/p>\n
“I feel great. Like I said, doing something for the community. That’s what we’re doing here,” Buccino said.<\/p>\n