Wednesday marks Saint Joseph’s Day, a major celebration in Italian culture, and in Rhode Island, that means one thing: zeppole. On this special day, bakeries across Federal Hill will be filled with customers eager to enjoy this beloved pastry.
Zeppole: A Saint Joseph’s Day Staple
Zeppole, a cream-filled pastry, is a Saint Joseph’s Day tradition in Rhode Island. This treat, which has become a staple of the holiday, is not just any fried dough. Zeppole in Rhode Island are baked pate a choux pastries, filled with a rich, custard-like cream and topped with powdered sugar and a maraschino cherry.
The holiday itself honors Saint Joseph, the patron saint believed to have saved the people of Sicily from a devastating drought.
The Zeppole Rush in Rhode Island
With one of the largest Italian populations in the country, Rhode Island’s Federal Hill neighborhood comes alive on Saint Joseph’s Day. Bakeries like Borelli’s and Antonio’s are busy cranking out thousands of zeppole to meet the demand. The sweet treats are a must-have for locals and visitors alike.
Saint Joseph’s Day and Beyond
While Saint Joseph’s Day is the focal point for zeppole, the celebration doesn’t stop there. The holiday is also honored during Federal Hill’s summer festival, which features a procession and a living rosary.
For now, though, it’s all about the zeppole.
Related topics: