St. Joseph's Pastry

Zeppole di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph's Pastry): why do we eat them? Such festive food for this March 19th, is a tradition.

Yes! In Sicily, Saint Joseph is regarded by many as their Patron saint. Prayers were offered to him to prevent a famine and save them from starving. "According to legend, there was a severe drought at the time, and the people prayed for their patron saint to bring them rain. They promised that if God answered their prayers through Joseph's intercession, they would prepare a large feast to honor him. " (source: Wikipedia) The rains came, and the fava bean crop was saved.

Giving food to the needy is a Saint Joseph's Day custom, and altars are adorned with beans and fruit. The zeppole that we know today was created in 1840 by Don Pasquale Pinatauro in Napoli. It is traditionally filled with pastry cream or cannoli cream.

I hear eating these yummy pastries will keep you safe from illness. Well, not really, but it sounds good, so stop at the bakery and grab a dozen pastries. They freeze beautifully and you can take them out as you need them.

Enjoy!