There are plenty of reasons to love March: the first day of spring, St. Patrick’s Day, and our next undiscovered dessert, St. Joseph’s Zeppole, a delicious treat only available a few weeks a year.

Hailing from Italy, but enjoyed across the world, this delectable Italian pastry is a combination of fried dough with a creamy custard filling topped with powered sugar and fortunately, (for our wallets and perhaps pants size), only available for a few weeks surrounding March 19^th, St. Joseph’s Day.

Family owned Patsy’s Pastries, as one of the few bakeries in Somerville that make Zeppole, is one of East Broadway’s busiest shops in March. Customers come from all over to try Patsy’s Zeppole, and in fact much like trying to get a Thanksgiving Pie at Patsy’s, if you go on March 18^th, be prepared to wait in line while salivating and hungrily peering through their glass cases.

St. Joseph’s day is an Italian National holiday and also Catholic holiday in honor of St. Joseph, the protector of families. Its origins stems back to Sicily where it is believed that St. Joseph saved the people from a drought in the Middle Ages. A proper Italian St. Joseph’s Day celebration is not complete without 2 or 3 of these delectable pastries to finish off an evening of feasting.

Whether you have grown up eating Zeppole or are just learning about this delicious dessert it is well worth your time to travel over to Patsy’s (182 Broadway) and try them out!

Keep your eyes open for our final dessert, Brazilian Easter Eggs!