San Giuseppe, or St. Joseph's Day, is Italy's celebration of fatherhood. San Giuseppe is Joseph, husband of Mary, and the Patron Saint of Sicily. According to legend, during the Middle Ages, Sicily faced a terrible drought where people survived on cattle feed alone. They prayed to San Giuseppe, who brought rain and saved Sicily from famine. In celebration, Sicilians host feasts in his honour where the poorest are invited to eat first. Many towns also light large bonfires to mark the end of winter and in tribute to San Giuseppe keeping his Holy Family warm. People then collect the ashes for good fortune in the upcoming farming season.
Another way to celebrate is with Zeppole. Zeppole are a typical Neapolitan dessert made with fried choux pastry, filled with pastry cream and topped with amarena. These pastries are thought to originate from the carpenters feast held in tribute to San Giuseppe where pastries were served in the shape of carpenters tools to celebrate his profession. The name Zeppole coems from the word zeppa, which is a wooden wedge used by carpenters for adjusting the heights of furniture.
Try our Zeppole in-store at Sud Forno and Spaccio from March 14th to March 19th. Order them for pick-up and local delivery from labottegaditerroni.com now.
