So, we’re here to teach you about the history of zeppoles and why Italians eat them on St. Joseph’s Day. Let’s get into it!
What Are Zeppole?
Some of you may even be wondering what zeppole are, so we’ll cover that to start!
Zeppole are deep-fried sweet dough that are traditionally filled with custard, ricotta, or chocolate, and topped with powdered sugar, more custard, and a cherry. There are many different variations and flavours of zeppole made today.
How the Zeppole Came to Be
A Neapolitan classic, enjoyed mainly in Southern Italy, zeppole has been a craze for as long as most Italians can remember.
Some have said zeppole were invented by monks in a convent. And it was only in 1836 that the first recipe of a zeppole was seen in a cookbook. It was written by Ippolito Cavalcanti, a Neapolitan nobleman.
Another theory is that in 500 BC, Romans used to celebrate Liberalia, a festival with sacrifices, masks hung on trees, wine, and wheat pastries – those said to be like zeppoles. Liberalia was celebrated on March 17th, and since St. Joseph’s Day is on March 19th, two days later, Italians kept the tradition going and ate them on that date as well. But the most well-known and well-accepted theory is that related to St. Joseph, especially because Italians eat them on St. Joseph’s Day!
Why Zeppoles for St. Joseph’s Day?
Most people believe St. Joseph himself began the zeppole craze - there are actually two different theories!
One of the theories claims that after St. Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, he started to sell pancakes to provide for his family, therefore, tying sweets and desserts like zeppoles to his name.
The other mentions he was a saint of carpenters and craftsmen, and there was the “Carpenter’s Feast,” where wooden toys were sold for children to enjoy. Once St. Joseph’s Day became Father’s Day in Italy, the roles reversed, and the children gave their father’s a gift.
Typing into that theory, the original word for zeppole iszeppola, and comes from the wordzeppa, which is a wood wedge used for adjusting the heights of furniture. Since St. Joseph was a carpenter, this proves that zeppoles are tied to St. Joseph himself!
In current times, Italians celebrate March 19th as the Feast of Saint Joseph, which many call St. Joseph’s Day. This day is also recognized as Father’s Day in many countries. Zeppole is the dessert known to be eaten on this day, and no matter how this tradition came to be, we’re just happy to have it! We love indulging in zeppoles during this time of year!
And, with them only being available around this time of year, you have to make sure to get your hands on some from our bakery!
Order Sweet Boutique’s Zeppoles Today!
We are known for our fresh zeppoles during this time of year! Order yours online today by clicking here! We have traditional zeppole along with seven other unique flavours - don’t miss out on zeppole season!
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FAQs
The direct translation from Italian is “pancake maker.” To honor his second career as a cook, Italians celebrate Joseph by eating fried foods. Zeppole di San Giuseppe are fried in honor of Joseph's time working as a frittellaro but today baked versions of the pastry can also be found.
Why do we eat zeppoles on St. Joseph's Day? ›
One of the theories claims that after St. Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, he started to sell pancakes to provide for his family, therefore, tying sweets and desserts like zeppoles to his name.
What is the history of the zeppole? ›
History. Zeppole are typical of Italian cuisine, especially that of Rome, Naples and Lecce. Zeppole originated in Ancient Rome when people started frying dough and putting sugar or cinnamon on it. However, the zeppole that is around today, was created in the eighteenth century.
What do Italians eat on Saint Joseph's Day? ›
It is customary to set the table on the evening of March 18 with pasta, vegetables, fresh fish, eggs, pastries, fruit and wine, and to invite the poor into your home to eat. Since the day falls during Lent, the dishes are all meatless (at least by the Catholic definition, which doesn't count fish as meat.)
What is the meaning of the word zeppole? ›
: a doughnut made from cream puff dough.
What is the story behind St Joseph's day? ›
According to legend, Saint Joseph interceded to relieve a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages. There was a severe drought at the time, and the people prayed for their patron saint to bring them rain.
Why can we eat meat on St Joseph day? ›
Canon 1251 of the Code of Canon Law states:
Abstinence and fasting, however, are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Therefore in accord with the above, this Friday, being the liturgical solemnity of St. Joseph, is NOT a day of abstinence.
What is the traditional dessert that is eaten on St. Joseph's Day and why do we eat it? ›
Joseph's Day is Zeppole. This is an Italian deep fried pastry (sometimes baked) filled with custard and topped with powdered sugar. Zeppole are typical of Italian cuisine, especially that of Rome, Naples and Sicily. The custom was popularized in the early 19th century.
What food is on the St. Joseph altar? ›
Sweet Pasta, a pasta dish made with honey. Olives, figs, and other side dishes. As no feast is complete without dessert, no Saint Joseph's altar would be finished without the flourish of sweet items. There is typically a plethora of cakes, biscotti and cookies, many of which are embellished with almonds.
Why is St. Joseph Day celebrated in Italy? ›
Tradition has it that residents prayed to St. Joseph for rain. The rain came, and as such, their spring crops were spared from being destroyed, preventing a widespread famine for Sicily. It is believed that this is the reason the celebration is held in March.
There is no meat at a St. Joseph Altar because the feast falls during Lent, when Catholics historically ate no meat at all. The food is often sprinkled with bread crumbs to represent the sawdust of St. Joseph the carpenter (although at the altar we attended last Sunday, it wasn't.
What is the traditional meal that is eaten on St. Joseph's Day and what is its significance? ›
Different regions celebrate Saint Joseph's Day differently but all involve meatless foods (because this holiday always falls during Lent), minestrone soup and pasta with breadcrumbs (The breadcrumbs represent sawdust since Saint Joseph was a carpenter), seafood, and fava beans for luck and for dessert, the star of the ...
How do you greet St. Joseph's Day in Italian? ›
Buona Festa di San Giuseppe! Happy St. Joseph's Day!
Why do we eat zeppoles on St Joseph Day? ›
Hypothesis linked to ancient Rome
It was a day dedicated to wine and wheat fritters, which were fried in hot lard. The day of St. Joseph is only two days later, so it would be so that “descendants” of those pancakes have become a symbol of this holiday.
What is another name for a zeppole? ›
Other names and/or variations for zeppole include:
- Joseph's fritters.
- Joseph's Day cake.
- Saint Joseph Cake.
- Zeppole di San Giuseppe.
- Bignè di San Giuseppe.
- Fritelle di San Giuseppe.
- Sfinci di San Giuseppe.
- Sfinge or Sfinzi.
Italian celebrations often revolve around food and one classic example is eating zeppole on San Giuseppe, also known as St. Joseph's Day. But why exactly do we line up for these sweet treats on this holiday?
What are the 3 most common food dishes eaten on St. Joseph's Day? ›
Different regions celebrate Saint Joseph's Day differently but all involve meatless foods (because this holiday always falls during Lent), minestrone soup and pasta with breadcrumbs (The breadcrumbs represent saw dust since Saint Joseph was a carpenter), seafood, and fava beans for luck and for dessert, the star of the ...
Is St. Joseph's Day Polish or Italian? ›
Joseph's Day or the Feast Day of St. Joseph became a popular day of celebration for Czechs. The holiday is more common in Europe than America and Czechs share the holiday with Polish and Italians, particularly Sicilians. The feast of St.
Are zeppoles a Rhode Island thing? ›
While the zeppole is an Italian pastry, they're also a Rhode Island thing following a surge in popularity in the 1960s and '70s that never waned. “It's a very significant holiday for the Italian bakeries here,” Michael Manni, who has owned Providence's LaSalle Bakery since 1975, told The Journal in 2019.
What is the most famous dessert in Italy? ›
Perhaps the most iconic Italian dessert, tiramisu appears on menus at restaurants not only throughout Italy but also all over the world.
