Father’s Day is celebrated a bit differently in Italy than it is in the US – first and foremost, it’s celebrated on March 19th, which is the Festa di San Giuseppe: the celebration of Saint Joseph. Over time, the holiday became synonymous with Festa Del Papa, the Italian celebration of Father’s Day. This holiday is celebrated with festivals, gift-giving, and one particular treat: fried pastries filled with pastry cream and topped with Amarena cherries, called Zeppole di San Giuseppe. This at-home version of the delicious dessert is baked (“al forno”) as opposed to fried, which not only makes it simpler to make, but it gives it a lighter and airier texture. The result is similar to a cream puff, but the zest of lemon and the Amarena cherry give it a uniquely Italian flavor. Looking for a variation? Drizzle it with chocolate hazelnut spread, fold pistachio cream into the pastry cream and omit the lemon, or even add fresh berries inside.
