Today is Saint Joseph’s Day (Wikipedia describes him as the ‘legal’ father of Christ) and by default, Father’s Day. Joseph is credited for saving Sicily from famine. Apparently, the island was suffering from drought and the people promised to hold a feast in his honour if their prayers for rain were answered. The rain did come and since then St Joseph has been remembered on March 19.
It was fava beans that saved Sicily from starvation and there a dish called Maccu, with fava beans as an ingredient, is prepared on this day. Here in Capri, the celebratory foodstuff is much sweeter. Zeppole are made from fried dough, which are filled with lemon cream, and topped with a cherry.
Students studying catering and hotel management from The Axel Munte School in Anacapri were brought to the town square today to prepare and serve zeppole to the local people (traditionally, it was the poor who would be fed).
The zeppole looked delicious, but the crowd of people, all wanting a free cake was large (no orderly queue here – it was every person for himself) so we decided to leave.
We got our zeppole later, with a cup of tea. It was delicious.
Tortoise Travel 