by KYW's Al Novack

Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, is known by The Pennsylvania Dutch as "Fastnacht Day" or "Donut Day."

Adopted from their European ancestors, The Pennsylvania Dutch have traditionally celebrated Shrove Tuesday by eating yeast raised potato donuts which they call fastnachts (in file photo above).

These days, people of all beliefs, and nationalities, have joined the tradition which has become big business for bakeries and super market bake shops. Todays is the day people tend to forget about their waist line and their diets to feast on donuts.

The Pennsylvania Dutch began the tradition so their people could use up cooking fat and sugar supplies by making donuts before the Lenten season officially began.