The slutti facts about the zeppola di San Giuseppe (a love letter)
sluttiest bakeries to know in Rome and why Italians celebrate Jesus' step-daddy today with this special pastry
Holidays in Italy are always an excuse to eat. And, not just anything - something special that won’t be around for long.. so you have to eat not one, but two..maybe three…hell why not FIVE - one for every grueling workday, am I right?
Today, March 19th, we celebrate Jesus’ stepdaddy - St. Joseph - with the zeppola di San Giuseppe. In Italy, il giorno di San Giuseppe is Festa del Papà (Father’s Day!)
Little fun fact: Jesus got it from his Father - St. Joseph was the OG carpenter. That’s why he is also the patron saint of carpenters and artisans!
All roads (and zeppole) lead to… Napoli
Sometimes, I doubt if all roads lead to Rome, but rather, to Napoli. Most of my favorite foods have histories and/or legends based in this mystical land of sirens, seafood, and sfogliatella.
The zeppola sure had its roots in the indulgent ancient Romans. But, the pastry we know and love today was born in Napoli, with the influence of the French Bourbons who occupied the magical land (the zeppola di San Giuseppe’s dough is much like a French choux pastry, explained later in this newsletter).
Also, the story goes that Napoli is where the name evolved, deriving from serpula - Latin for serpent - for the round shape of the fried dough. And, probably for their inherent sinfulness.
Not so San Giuseppe, right? Don’t worry - the indulgent greasy zeppole the paganist ancient Romans loved aren’t what we are eating today…
The zeppola di San Giuseppe’s round curved shape goes back to the Church.
Yes, the Catholic Church. It’s always the Catholic Church. Often we forget that they once controlled the entire Western world (and still sorta do - they’re the second largest landowners in the world.)
Thank god for nuns
No really - who do you think are in the kitchen cooking in the monastery? It isn’t the Cardinals, I tell you that.
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