Celebrating St. Joseph’s Day with Zeppole and Sfingi

Spring in Italy isn’t just a season—it’s a celebration. And in March, just a few weeks before Easter, Italians around the world honor St. Joseph’s Day, or La Festa di San Giuseppe. It’s a day filled with community, devotion, and—of course—irresistible pastries.

At Durazzo’s Italian Market & Deli, we cherish the role that food plays in preserving cultural heritage. That’s why every March, we prepare and serve fresh, house-made St. Joseph’s pastries—including the famous zeppole and sfingi. They sell out fast, and for good reason. These sweet, cream-filled pastries are more than just desserts—they’re symbols of tradition, celebration, and family.

If you’ve ever wondered what St. Joseph’s Day is all about—or why people go crazy for these golden beauties—we’re diving into the story, the sweets, and how Durazzo’s keeps the tradition alive.

The Meaning of St. Joseph’s Day

St. Joseph’s Day, celebrated on March 19, honors Joseph, the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. In many Catholic communities, Joseph is viewed as the patron saint of fathers, workers, and families. In Italy, especially in the southern regions of Sicily, Naples, and Calabria, St. Joseph’s Day is a major feast day—one that’s rich with meaning and full of food.

According to legend, Sicily was once gripped by a severe drought. People prayed to St. Joseph for rain, and when the drought finally ended, they thanked him by preparing a feast in his honor. This tradition became the St. Joseph’s Table—a spread of humble, meatless dishes (since it often falls during Lent) and special desserts.

To this day, Italian families mark the day with generosity, charity, and celebration—offering food to guests, neighbors, and especially the less fortunate. And the one item no St. Joseph’s Day table would be complete without? His pastries.

Zeppole vs. Sfingi: What’s the Difference?

While there are regional variations, the two most iconic pastries associated with St. Joseph’s Day are zeppole di San Giuseppe and sfingi di San Giuseppe. Both are indulgent, cream-filled desserts, but they have distinct personalities.

Zeppole di San Giuseppe

Zeppole (pronounced ZEH-po-leh) are round, airy pastries made from choux pastry, the same kind used for eclairs and cream puffs. They're often deep-fried (though sometimes baked), creating a crisp outer shell and a tender, hollow inside perfect for filling.

The traditional filling is a light pastry cream, though some versions include ricotta or custard. They’re usually topped with a swirl of cream and a maraschino cherry, and dusted with powdered sugar for that classic Italian bakery look.

Sfingi di San Giuseppe

Sfingi (pronounced SFEEN-jee) are a bit softer and more rustic. Also fried, sfingi are usually made with ricotta in the dough, giving them a slightly denser, cakier texture. They’re often filled with sweetened ricotta cream, much like cannoli filling, and topped with crushed pistachios, chocolate chips, or candied orange peel.

Both pastries are rich, luscious, and deeply tied to Italian-American culture, especially in cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia—where Italian immigrants brought their food traditions across the Atlantic.

Durazzo’s Take on a Timeless Tradition

At Durazzo’s Deli, we take immense pride in honoring this sweet tradition each year. Our St. Joseph’s pastries are made fresh in-house using time-honored techniques and the highest quality ingredients, including our own house-made ricotta and pastry creams.

Customers line up early on March 19th (and the days leading up to it) to get their hands on our zeppole and sfingi. And while supplies last, they’re a delicious reminder of why this tradition is so beloved.

What sets our pastries apart?

• We fry them fresh daily, so they’re crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Our pastry cream is rich, smooth, and just the right amount of sweet.
• The ricotta filling for our sfingi is whipped until perfectly creamy and flecked with mini chocolate chips and orange zest for a traditional touch.
• Every pastry is topped by hand, ensuring each one looks and tastes just right.

Keeping the Tradition Alive Year After Year

St. Joseph’s Day is more than a culinary holiday—it’s a way of keeping cultural memory and family tradition alive. Whether you grew up with an Italian grandmother who made sfingi every March, or you’re discovering these pastries for the first time, celebrating this feast day is a way to connect to a rich heritage.

At Durazzo’s, we’re not just a deli—we’re a community space where food and tradition meet. We believe that honoring holidays like St. Joseph’s Day through food is one of the most meaningful ways to stay connected to our roots. And there’s no sweeter way to do that than with a pastry in hand.

Final Thoughts

St. Joseph’s Day is a beautiful reminder of the power of food to unite people, honor heritage, and bring joy. Whether you make your own pastries at home or stop by Durazzo’s to pick up a box, we hope this tradition brings sweetness to your spring.

Thank you for celebrating with us—and if you missed out this year, don’t worry. St. Joseph’s pastries will be back next March, and they’ll be just as delicious. Until then, come visit us at Durazzo’s Italian Market & Deli to enjoy the many ways we bring authentic Italian flavor to every season.

Buona festa di San Giuseppe!