Celebrating San Giuseppe with Zeppole

| Wed, 03/04/2009 - 04:59
zeppole
On 19 March, the feast day of San Giuseppe, Italians celebrate St. Joseph as the foster father of Jesus and all fathers across the country—it’s Italian Father’s Day.

The day of San Giuseppe is celebrated by Catholics throughout the world, but especially in Sicily. During the Middle Ages, St. Joseph saved the island from famine by providing fava beans, which play a large part in celebrations particularly in southern Italy.

Another integral part of the Festa di San Giuseppe are zeppole, delicious pastries that range from cream puffs to pockets of fried dough depending on what part of the country you’re in. The most common zeppole, and those most commonly found in Italian communities outside of Italy, are cream puffs; you’ll also see them around the Festa di San Gennaro.

What follows are some videos about the making of zeppole, so brew an espresso, sit back, and enjoy!

And don’t forget to pass along “auguri” to the fathers you know on 19 March!

Have you had or made zeppole? What were they like?