Bignè di San Giuseppe

Zeppole , in Sardinia italianized zippole or zeppole sarde from the original Sardinian tzípulas, are Italian pastries consisting of a deep-fried dough ball of varying size but typically about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. These fritters are usually topped with powdered sugar, and may be filled with custard, jelly, cannoli-style pastry cream or a butter-and-honey mixture. The consistency ranges from light and puffy, to bread- or pasta-like. They are eaten to celebrate Saint Joseph's Day, which is a Catholic feast day. Zeppole are typical of Italian cuisine, especially that of Rome, Naples, and Lecce. They originated in ancient Rome, when people started frying dough and putting sugar or cinnamon on it. However, the zeppole that is around today was created in the 18th century. These zeppole either have sugar, cinnamon or chocolate with them. They are also served in Sicily, on the island of Malta, and in Italian communities in Canada and the United States. The Sardinian tzipulas, although they are often italianized to zeppole, are somewhat different. Zippole are eaten in Sardinia to celebrate Carnival. They can be seen with different ingredients and different shapes. Zippole differ from zeppole since you use a funnel to put the dough into the oil. Zippole then come out as different shapes due to the spiral motion used with the funnel. Zeppole are known by other names, including bignè di San Giuseppe (in Rome) and sfinge. Zeppole are traditionally consumed during the Festa di San Giuseppe ('Saint Joseph's Day'), celebrated every March 19, when zeppole are sold on many streets and sometimes presented as gifts.

Source: Wikipedia