The Feast of St. Joseph is celebrated every year on March 19, a custom established by Rome back in 1479. In Sicily, Saint Joseph is seen by many as their Patron Saint, as he is credited with preventing a famine in the Middle Ages. As the people’s prayers to their saint were answered, a large feast and celebration were prepared to honor St Joseph. Many people wear red on St. Joseph’s Day, similar to the green attire seen on St. Patrick’s Day two days earlier.

Zeppole, Neapolitan pastry created in the 1800s by Don Pasquale Pintauro, is the traditional Italian pastry eaten to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day. Zeppole are baked or fried dough filled with either cream or custard, then topped with powdered sugar and a cherry … delizioso!

Check out the video below to see how Scialo Bros. Bakery makes perfect zeppole. This more than 100-year-old bakery is one of many Italian eateries in Providence's iconic Federal Hill neighborhood celebrating the Feast of St. Joseph. Buon appetito! 

Interested in making something else yummy?  
Check out more GoProvidence recipes. 

St. Patrick's

Providence is home to a variety of ethnic cultures and traditions, including large populations of Irish- and Italian-Americans. Restaurants and bars throughout the city will be going green for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, while Providence’s Little Italy, Federal Hill, will be snacking on traditional Italian zeppole on St. Joseph’s Day, March 19. You don’t have to be Irish or Italian to join in on the fun.

St. Patrick's Day Irish Step Dancing with Tir Na Nog