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Ricette di Sicilia

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St Joseph’s Sicilian fritters dusted with icing sugar

St Joseph’s Sicilian Fritters - A Sweet Treat for Father’s Day

Light, airy Sicilian fritters dusted with icing sugar, perfect for celebrating St Joseph’s Day with a touch of Mediterranean charm.

Author: Anna Marino • Published on: March 19, 2013
Categories: Desserts
Tags: plain flour milk fresh yeast extra-virgin olive oil salt sugar
⏱️
Prep Time
1 hour and 30 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
30 minutes
👥
Serve
Serves 8
📊
Difficulty
Medium
💰 Budget-friendly
🗓️ Spring
⭐ 4.9/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • ✓ 500 g plain flour
  • ✓ 25 g fresh yeast
  • ✓ 300 ml milk
  • ✓ A pinch of salt
  • ✓ Icing sugar, for dusting
  • ✓ Extra-virgin olive oil or lard, for frying

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
300 kcal per serving
Protein
5 g
Fat
15 g
Carbohydrates
35 g
Fiber
1 g
Sugars
10 g
Sodium
150 mg

In Sicily, St Joseph’s Day on 19 March marks one of the most beloved culinary traditions of the year - a lively celebration of family, festivity and, of course, sweet indulgence. Among the many delights prepared for the occasion, these airy fritters stand out as a true classic: light, golden morsels that disappear almost as quickly as they’re made.

Known locally as bignè di San Giuseppe, they are simple, joyful pastries - crisp on the outside, soft within - served warm and generously dusted with icing sugar. Their aroma alone evokes springtime gatherings, bustling kitchens and the unmistakable comfort of homemade Sicilian baking.

Whether enjoyed at the end of a leisurely lunch or shared with loved ones over an afternoon coffee, these fritters bring a touch of Mediterranean sunshine to the British table, celebrating tradition in the sweetest way possible.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Stir the flour into two small glasses’ worth of milk, mixing steadily with a wooden spoon.

  2. 2

    Dissolve the fresh yeast in two tablespoons of warm milk, then add it to the mixture with a pinch of salt.

  3. 3

    Cover the bowl with a cloth napkin and leave the dough to rest for about an hour.

  4. 4

    Using a spoon, scoop small portions of the mixture and drop them into hot olive oil or lard, frying until crisp and golden.

  5. 5

    Lift the fritters out and drain them on kitchen paper to absorb any excess oil.

  6. 6

    Arrange them on a serving plate, dust with icing sugar and serve immediately.

💡 Tips and Variations

For an extra indulgent twist, fill the fritters with custard or sweetened ricotta. You can also add a little grated lemon zest to the dough for a fresh, fragrant note.

📦 Storage

  • • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • • Freeze the cooked fritters for up to 1 month.
  • • Reheat in the oven at 160°C for 5 minutes before serving.

🍷 Pairing

Enjoy these St Joseph’s fritters with a small glass of Moscato di Pantelleria, gently chilled to around 8–10°C - its honeyed sweetness is a delightful match.

Thank you for cooking along! I hope these Sicilian fritters bring a little sunshine and sweetness to your table. Until next time - happy baking.

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