For Saint Joseph’s Day, you’ll often hear people seeking zeppole. Zeppole are delicious and Napolitano (from Naples, Italy). So it is a different recipe than what Sicilians eat. Sfince, which are cream puffs slathered with cannoli cream and dressed with candied orange, candied cherry, and chocolate chips and/or pistachio dust, are Sicilian. So, when looking…
Tag: pastry
Tonight: Watch The Cannoli Film Online
The documentary “Cannoli: Traditions Around the Table,” in which I am featured along with Jodi from Dancing Ewe Farm, will be shown via Zoom at 7PM this evening as part of The Florida Atlantic University Italian American Film Festival. Thanks to students of FAU Italian Club, Odra Dorante and David Brubeck, for including this beautiful…
The Bust Of Sant’Agata Of Sicily
Replicas of the bust of Sant’Agata appear all over Catania. The actual bust is made of precious metals and is encrusted with jewels, making it extremely heavy. During these days of the feast, February 3 to 5, Catania’s faithful engage in back-breaking activities to illustrate their devotion and honor their patroness, Sant’Agata. Through rituals, they…
Sicily’s Breast Shaped Pastry
When you see this pastry show up in every pasticceria in Sicily, you know February is upon us. Minna di Sant’Agata (or Minna di Sant’Aita in Sicilian), or Saint Agatha’s Breast, is made and eaten in honor of the Sant’Agata, Catania’s patroness. The breast-shaped pastry represents the virgin martyr who is the patron saint of…
Sambuca di Sicilia Real Estate And Pastry
Everyone has been talking about Sambuca di Sicilia. In fact, so much so that the 1€ house offer was featured on the cover of The Wall Street Journal yesterday. It’s definitely a good deal. But enough about that! The real reason to move to Sambuca di Sicilia (other than the fact that it is beautiful)…
St. Joseph’s Pastry
For many, what they associate most with Saint Joseph’s Day (March 19) is the sweet sfince di San Giuseppe. Sfinci are fried cream puffs served hot with a dusting of cinnamon, confectioner’s sugar, and honey, or, like those pictured, cold and open-faced with a smear of sweet ricotta cream and decorated with candied orange and…
Chatting It Up For Carnevale In Sicily
Because the festivities take place on the streets, hand-held sweets are in order for Carnevale. In Sicily that means chiacchiere di Carnevale, pictured. Chiacchiere are a crunchy, sweet, fried dough powdered with sugar. Eat up! Because next Tuesday, or Martedì Grasso, is your last chance to eat these “Chatter,” as they would be translated as,…
The Way To My Heart
Happy Valentine’s Day! Hearts made from the same pastry as cannoli shells?! Why, yes! Now, just add ricotta mousse and fresh strawberries, and you’ve found the way to *my* heart … and seen a preview of the dessert for our Experience Sicily Valentine’s Sicilian Style dinner on Saturday night, 16 February. We’ve got one seat…
Sicilian Pastry Shaped Like A Breast: Minna di Sant’Agata
One of the iconic elements of the feast of Sant’Agata–and lighter ones too–is the Minna di Sant’Agata (or Minna di Sant’Aita in Sicilian), or Saint Agatha’s Breast, a pastry that you’ll find this time of year made and eaten in honor of the saint. I ate this sweet ricotta-filled pastry covered with layers of marzipan…
Usher In Spring With Saint Joseph’s Day In New York City
Yesterday, I ate this splendid sfinge di San Giuseppe on Staten Island. It was so good! St. Joseph’s Day, celebrated annually on March 19, will be here before we know it! Please join me to celebrate the guardian-father of Jesus and the protector of carpenters, toiling workers, and of course, fathers. Let’s usher in spring…