Sunday, March 19, 2006

Zeppole di San Giuseppe

Zeppole di San GiuseppeToday is St. Joseph's Day, a traditional day of Italian feasting to honor San Giuseppe. Among other things, the husband of Mary is said to have saved the Sicilians from a serious drought during the Middle Ages . Those yummy pastries to the left are Zeppole, which are a huge part of the feast and also given to men named Joseph on March 19th. (Custard filled on the left, cannoli cream on the right!!) Every year my grandmother would buy them for my father's twin, who is also my godfather, Uncle Joe. I had hoped to surprise him with some this year, but he was at a birthday party for my cousin - Joseph Jr. I hope someone remembered to bring the Zeppole.

To tell the truth, we never really celebrated St. Joseph's Day while I was growing up . . . probably because my father was Marco, not Joseph. But I'd really like to learn more about my Italian heritage (as well as the English and Polish, but I've always felt more Italian). Luckily, we live in an era when most information is a mere click away. Next year maybe I'll hit NYC for the festival with my Sicilian husband.

Viva la tavola di San Giuse!!

9 comments:

Cathy said...

Oh don't those look YUMMY! Why is it that we Italians can make sure that there is ALWAYS something sinfully fattening for EVERY holiday we can think of? hmmmmm? I wonder! ;) Enjoy the goodness - Happy St. Joseph's Day!

Stephanie said...

Wow those look delicious - and like a lot of work!

chris said...

Oh. My. Goodness!!! Just looking at that Zeppole is making my mouth water!! I must have been Italian in my former life- I'm sure of it! ;-) Custard and cannoli cream... is there anything better?! Not to mention the candied cherries! Did you make those Zeppole? They look sinfully delicious and decadent. You're so sweet to think of your godfather, too. I clicked on your links- it's amazing the information you can find nowadays on the Net. I feel the same interest and curiosity about my heritage, too. Thanks for the yummy post! ;-) Take care, Karen! :-)

Kym said...

Holy crap those look amazing!! you have no idea how my mouth is watering...

have you ever had those pasteries from the italian bakery that are called "lobster tails"- they are these giant cone shaped pasteries (the same dough as the zeppoles, but a smidge drier) and filled with the french creme filling? if you go to nyc for the san gennaro fest in september, defintely get some of those too!

Ragan said...

YUM! That treat looks soooooo very good! I hope that you enjoyed it!

Sonya said...

Wow! Talk about a yummy picture. I could eat canoli cream by the bucket. I love reading about ethnic traditions too. Kevin always teases me about how seriously Mennonites take their strawberry shortcake.

Laura said...

I am salivating, Karen. Those look scrumptious. St. Joseph's Day is my birthday, and I've always felt blessed to have such a special patron. Absolutely worth a dessert with cannoli creme! ;)

kathy b said...

Oh, I'll take the cannoli cream on the right. YUM. I hope I didnt gain weight just looking at them.

Anonymous said...

You had me up to the cannoli cream. Once you've seen it in five gallon buckets you'll understand ;o)

Most everything else that can be found in an Italian bakery is good in my book, though. hehehe

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