The tradition of a St. Joseph's Day,
began when there was a severe
drought in Sicily in the middle ages.
In desperation, people asked
St. Joseph, their patron, to intervene.
They promised, if rain came,
they would prepare a big feast
in his honor. The tradition says these
prayers were answered with rainy weather.
In gratitude, huge banquet tables
were set-up in public and poor people
were invited to come and eat as much
as they wanted.
Today, special
foods,
linens, flowers, and statuary adorn the
St. Joseph's Altar which is built with
three steps representing the Holy Trinity.
Generosity marks this day,
as it did the character of Joseph
himself. In many nations it's a day
of sharing with the poor and needy,
and nowhere is this better carried out
than in the nation that perhaps loves
the most: Italy.
In many Italian villages,
especially in Sicily, every one of any
means contributes to a table spread in the
public square as an offering for favors
received from prayers to this kindly saint.
The bread made for this day is
often shaped like a scepter or
a beard; villagers representing Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph are guests of
honor at the feast, and other guests
are the orphans, widows, or beggars.
After Mass, all go in procession to
this festive table. After the priest blesses
the feast, everyone shouts, "Viva
la tavola di San Giuse!" then eats.
At the end of the meal every guest
is given something to take home.
For this feast, a unique minestrone is made;
people add any vegetarian ingredients that
happen to be handy to the soup. [This is
the origin of a Sicilian expression minestra
di San Giuse, i.e., confusion or chaos.]
Although all kinds of lentils and
dried beans are eaten on Saint
Joseph's feast, cheese, usually a
popular a part of the Italian diet,
is not served; instead of grated
Parmesan, this minestrone is
served with dry toasted bread crumbs.
These traditional feast day recipes were contributed by
Italian-American friends;
most have emphasized that these portions were meant to serve "a
crowd" --
not a couple of friends.
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Cavazune Work more flour into the dough on a baking board, Cook chick peas & its liquid 20 minutes. Divide the dough into quarters and roll out Place a teaspoonful of filling on squares, Heat oil to 350 degrees, fry cavezunes 2 |
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Fanelli Family
Recipe: Cavazune This recipe might make enough for an army, Dough: Filling: Make dough like pasta dough & roll out in a macaroni machine. |
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I Sfinge di San
Giuseppe Filling: Puff pastry shell: Cream Filling: |
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Mamma Giglio's
Recipe: Pasta di San Giuse St. Joseph's sauce: Cover and let simmer 30 minutes until fennel is Topping: Cook pasta, top with sauce, then sprinkle with breadcrumbs. [Mamma
Giglio died near Valentine's Day 1998. |
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A special dessert made in Bologna
for this feast is "Ravioli di San Giuseppe."
Made in the same way as other dumplings
but with puff paste or short crust, they are
filled either with marzipan or some kind of
jam, and either baked in the oven or fried
in oil to a rich golden color.
In Naples "zeppole" or cream fritters are
traditional. Again in Italy, little cakes filled
with jam are hawked at street corners on
Saint Joseph's Day. Sold right from the
kettles in which they're cooked, they can make the
whole city smell like one vast bakeshop.
New Orleans History of
"Viva la tavola di San Giuse!"
Saint Joseph's Altar, at Tulane Avenue. (Saint Joeseph Church)
Saint Joseph's Altar, Irish Channel. (Saint Alphonsus Church)
Saint Joseph's Altar, New Orleans Lakefront. (St. Frances Cabrini Church)
Thank You - Evann Duplantier, for correcting my spelling.
Duplanter's Mom still lives 3 blocks away, from Cabrini.
Evann's, has placed on the Web "Make a virtual offering, at a Virtual St. Joseph Altar!"