Celebrating St. Joseph’s Day in RI
Italian Americans celebrate the feast day in many ways including zeppole.
Journal Staff
After St. Patrick’s Day, zeppole are one of the few things to look forward to during March in Rhode Island.
I feel the hope of spring when I hit the road in search of what’s new or familiar in the world of zeppole. Like crocus sprouting out of the dirt, zeppole pop up in chilled bakery cases across the state.
Zeppole are a shared passion to be enjoyed on March 19, Joseph’s Day which is when the saint who raised Jesus as his son is honored. That’s traditional in Rhode Island and in other cities in America where there is a large Italian American population.
Here are great spots to get started.
Buono’s Italian Bakery
My first stop this year was Buono’s Italian Bakery, 559 Hartford Ave., Providence, 401-421-4554, buonositalianbakery.com. I saw a video of their new Neapolitan zeppole that features a trio of creams – traditional pastry cream, chocolate and vanilla in one puff pastry. This rainbow of flavors is inspired by the desserts of Naples that combine the three flavors into one ice cream or cake.
It’s perfect for the person who can’t decide on which flavor they desire. Why buy three when you can buy one?
There’s a lot to like with Buono’s selection. But the star has to be their rum cream-filled zeppole. It’s smooth as silk and full of flavor that whispers liquor rather than screaming it. Buono’s also does mini versions of zeppole for those who like one or two bites.
LaSalle Bakery
My next stop was to LaSalle Bakery at 993 Smith St., Providence, 401-831-9563, lasallebakery.net where I not only found some interesting flavors, but t-shirts. “Led-Zeppole” they said. Cute.
I have to say the Dulce de Leche and Limoncello were outstanding versions of those flavors. The sweetness of the Latin Dulce de Leche was just right and the caramel drizzle was the cherry on top. Likewise, the Limoncello was neither too sweet nor too bitter but rather just lovely and bright.
There’s a bonus for traditionalists at LaSalle. They offer a fried zeppole with traditional pastry cream. All the other choices are baked. That’s one of the changes that has evolved over the years, with many, including me, preferring the structure of a baked shell. Some bakeries still offer fried ones on March 19, but you don’t have to wait at LaSalle.
There is a second LaSalle Bakery at 685 Admiral St., Providence, 401-228-0081.
Felicia’s Coffee
With more than 100,000 votes cast, Felicia’s Coffee, 5757 Post Road, East Greenwich, (401) 886-4141, took the top spot in The Providence Journal’s 2025 bracket challenge to find Rhode Island’s favorite zeppole. Felicia’s are unique because of their giant size. They are made to be shared.
I checked in with co-owner Craig M. DeCesare (with wife Julie) about their lineup. It includes their Deluxe Italian, which combines mascarpone and ricotta cheese with golden rum. You can’t go wrong with their boiled cream, either, or the whipped Bailey’s Irish Cream. Fresh whipped cream is also offered for the cream puff fans. They also offer small zeppole as special orders.
Borrelli’s Pastry Shop
Borrelli’s Pastry Shop brought zeppole back to the menu in January at the bakery at 765 Tiogue Ave., Coventry, 401-821-0130. By the time Daylight Savings Time hit Sunday, they had six varieties in their bakery, including the fresh strawberry cream zeppole with a strawberry on top. They also had Oreo Whipped Cream. They also had ricotta, traditional, Irish Cream and Chocolate Mousse.
Antonio’s Bakery
Antonio’s Bakery (and Charlie’s Deli), 2448 West Shore Road, Warwick, 401-738-3727, antoniosbakerycharliesdeli.com, is your one-stop shopping for bakery goods, sandwiches and calzones. Their lineup for zeppole varieties includes traditional pastry cream, strawberry cream, chocolate, ricotta and Irish cream.
Where else in RI to find zeppole?
You’ll find artisan zeppole from baker Allyson Mansfield. She’s the owner and chef at Vesta Bakery, 47 Railroad Ave., Westerly, 401-348-7055, vestabakery.com.
In Providence, Scialo Bros. Bakery, 257 Atwells Ave., 401-421-0986, scialobakery1916.com, has a history that goes back to 1916 and DeLuise Bakery, 1251 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, 401-351-5826, on Facebook, has been run by the same family for 84 years.
There are stellar zeppole at Scialo’s County Bakery, 10 Olney St., Seekonk, 508-336-8312 and 202 Willett Ave., Riverside, 401-437-1555, scialoscountybakery.com. The bakery is run by 3rd and 4th generation bakers and is not affiliated with Scialo’s Federal Hill bakery. They came in second in The Journal bracket for best zeppole last year.
To the north, Wright’s Dairy Farm & Bakery, 200 Woonsocket Hill Road, North Smithfield, 401-767-3014, wrightsdairyfarm.com, has traditional zeppole always topped with whipped cream. Pastryland Bakery, 19 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, 401-949-0630, offers ricotta, chocolate mousse and Irish cream along with traditional zeppole.
To the south, Neapolis Food Emporium, 60 South County Commons Way, Wakefield, 401-854-0667, neapolisri.com, is an artisan Italian market that offers a choice of two kinds of zeppole each day.
The Original Italian Bakery, 915 Atwood Ave, Johnston, 401-919-5777, theoriginalitalianbakery.com, have traditional pastry cream, Irish cream, p
Dining and Cooking