I think it would be more of an commercial donut at Yummy Market. I have not tried their baked goods. I think the majority of their shoppers would be from the former USSR. I don’t find myself north of Lawrence anymore.
The Paczki / Krapfen the week before Lent tradition is more of a Polish / Austrian / Hungarian / German- type Carnival pastry, celebrated more in traditionally Roman Catholic countries.
Ukraine makes similar donuts to Paczki, with their population mostly split between Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians. The Ukrainian bakeries on Bloor West sell them but some people don’t like Janchenko’s Paczki. I like everything I have bought at Janchenko’s. It might be a political dispute about bike lanes behind the redditor’s opinion.
I’m not sure if the Russians have (edit: as much of) a donut tradition before Lent. (I am off to find out lol) .
Russian Orthodox Lent begins on Clean Monday, not Ash Wed. Strict Orthodox Christians have their last dairy, egg and butter feast day on Cheesefare Sunday, the Day before Clean Monday. The Cheesefare week (equivalent to the week where Mardi Gras falls for Protestants and Catholics ) to is called Maslenitsa in Russian.
It looks like Blini are what most Russians would eat during Maslenitsa.
Ponchiki is the Russian word for Paczki.
As you can see, these ones are different than the Polish type. There probably are also filled Ponchiki available.
The Dutch also eat their Olie Bollen (what the Dutchie raisin donut is based on) this time of year. Borrel on the Danforth (more of a bar with food) may have some this weekend.
