Traditional frittelle di riso or Italian Rice fritters for St Joseph's Day (2025)

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Frittelle di riso di San Giuseppe or traditional Italian rice fritters, are a type of fried donut. Recipes vary from region to region within Italy. These are studded with currants and flavored with citrus.

Traditional frittelle di riso or Italian Rice fritters for St Joseph's Day (1)

Tomorrow, March 19th, Italians will celebrate Father’s Day and the Feast of St. Joseph.

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Part of that celebration includes the tradition of Frittelle di San Giuseppe or zeppole, which are different kinds of doughnuts and pastries, depending on the region of Italy.

Here is an example of one type of zeppole di San Giuseppe.

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I was really interested in the frittelle di San Giuseppe which are made with rice. They are like little puffs of deep-fried rice pudding; if you can’t imagine that, here’s a photo:

They are not crisp, but soft and have a delicate texture to them. As with many doughnut type treats, they are finished off with a roll in a bowl of sugar–delicious! If you’d like to make these for St Joseph’s day, make sure to start them tonight, as the rice has to sit overnight (or at least for a few hours or so), rather like arancini.

Happy Father’s Day to all Italian fathers! Buona Festa del Papà!

Frittelle di San Giuseppe

Traditional Italian Rice Fritters/Doughnuts for St. Joseph’s Day

adapted from Ricette della Nonna

Ingredients

  • Arborio rice
  • milk
  • sugar
  • grated lemon rind
  • grated orange rind
  • currants
  • rum
  • eggs
  • flour
  • oil for frying
  • sugar for coating doughnuts

Prepare the Rice the Night Before (or at least 6 hours before)

In a small bowl, place the currants and rum together and let soak for a few hours or overnight.

Place the milk, sugar, lemon and orange rinds in a small saucepan over medium heat, then stir until the sugar dissolves.

Add the rice, stir and bring to a boil; lower the heat so it simmers gently, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or until rice is cooked and milk is absorbed.

Cool, then place in fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Prepare the Frittelle di Riso Dough

Beat the egg whites until stiff; set aside.

Remove the rice from the fridge and add the egg yolks, currants and rum, and mix well.

Next, add the flour, and once combined, gently fold in the beaten egg whites.

The mixture will look like this:

Fry the Frittelle di Riso

Once evenly mixed, heat the oil until hot and drop teaspoonfuls of frittelle di riso dough into the oil.

Fry until golden brown, then drain on a paper towel lined plate.

Allow the frittelle di riso di San Giuseppe to cool for about 10 minutes, then lightly coat in sugar.

Serving frittelle di riso right away is the best plan!

Finally, you can eat these delicious treats!

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Traditional frittelle di riso or Italian Rice fritters for St Joseph's Day (14)

Traditional Italian Rice Fritters/Doughnuts for St. Joseph's Day (Frittelle di Riso di San Giuseppe)

Servings: 36 mini doughnuts

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 50 minutes minutes

Tradtional Italian sweet doughnuts made with rice for St Joseph's day.

4.7 from 28 votes

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup Arborio rice
  • 17 oz milk
  • cup sugar
  • 1 rind of a lemon (grated)
  • 1 rind of an orange (grated)
  • ¼ cup currants
  • 2 Tbsp rum
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 egg whites
  • ½ cup flour (substitute a gluten free grain if desired)
  • light olive oil (organic, as needed for frying)
  • ½ cup sugar (as needed- for coating doughnuts)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, place the currants and rum together and let soak for a few hours or overnight.

  • Place the milk, sugar, lemon and orange rinds in a small saucepan over medium heat, then stir until the sugar dissolves.

  • Add the rice, stir and bring to a boil; lower the heat so it simmers gently, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or until rice is cooked and milk is absorbed. Cool, then place in fridge for a few hours or overnight.

  • Beat the egg whites until stiff; set aside.

  • Remove the rice from the fridge and add the egg yolks, currants and rum, and mix well.

  • Add the flour, and once combined, gently fold in the beaten egg whites. Once evenly mixed, heat the oil until hot and drop teaspoonfuls of dough into the oil.

  • Fry until golden brown, then drain on a paper towel lined plate. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then lightly coat in sugar.

  • Serving frittelle immediately for best flavor.

Notes

  • Omit the currants if you don't like them.

Nutrition

Serving: 3 mini doughnuts | Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 36IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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Author: Christina Conte

Course Desserts

Cuisine Italian

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Traditional frittelle di riso or Italian Rice fritters for St Joseph's Day (2025)

FAQs

What is the traditional dessert that is eaten on St Joseph's Day and why do we eat it? ›

Joseph's Day. This day is also recognized as Father's Day in many countries. Zeppole is the dessert known to be eaten on this day, and no matter how this tradition came to be, we're just happy to have it! We love indulging in zeppoles during this time of year!

Why do Italians eat zeppoles on St Joseph's Day? ›

One theory traces back to the biblical story of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fleeing to Egypt. It's said that during this time, Joseph sold sweet pancakes to support his family, creating an association between his name and sweets – like zeppole.

What is St Joseph's Day Italian food? ›

Joseph's Day Pasta, also called Sawdust Pasta or Carpenter's Pasta, made with bread crumbs sautéed in butter to resemble wood sawdust. Cheese isn't used, symbolic of the food shortage experienced in the origin legend of the tradition. Sweet Pasta, a pasta dish made with honey. Olives, figs, and other side dishes.

What is the traditional food for St. Joseph's Day? ›

Joseph's Day staples include eggplant Caponata, excellent for dipping with Italian bread, as well as Pasta con Sarde, Egg frittas, bean dishes, olives, fried smelts and especially lentils.

What is the tradition of St Joseph's Day cake? ›

The traditional dessert served on St. Joseph's Day is Zeppole. This is an Italian deep fried pastry (sometimes baked) filled with custard and topped with powdered sugar. Zeppole are typical of Italian cuisine, especially that of Rome, Naples and Sicily.

What is a traditional Italian feast? ›

A typical Italian dinner party menu, including the aperitivo and antipasti, comprises of between 5 and 8 courses: il primo, il secondo, contorno e insalata, il dolce, formaggi e frutti and, to finish, caffe e digestivo.

What do Italians eat on Saints day? ›

Here are some of the best-known recipes, many regional, with which Italians celebrate this holiday.
  • Chickpea and pumpkin soup. ...
  • Canavese soup. ...
  • Bagna cauda. ...
  • Chestnut risotto. ...
  • Salted meat. ...
  • Savoy cabbage with walnuts. ...
  • Ossa dei morti (Bones of the dead) ...
  • Pan de mei.
Oct 31, 2019

How do you say St. Joseph's day in Italian? ›

Joseph Day - March 19.

What do Polish people eat on St Joseph's Day? ›

A feast of Polish favorites like Makowiec, a poppy seed pastry, and Pierogi are enjoyed that day. The Pulaski Meat Market in Utica, NY has a wide variety of homemade Pierogi and Poppy Seed Pastry so you can celebrate St Joseph's Day with your favorite Polish foods. Making your own Makowiec?

What is zeppole filling made of? ›

For this recipe, we're making zeppole known specifically for their role during the celebrations around the feast of San Giuseppe, which are made with ricotta in the dough. These light and airy doughnuts are stuffed with three different fillings: a homemade chocolate mascarpone, raspberry jam, and a pistachio cream.

What is the Feast of St Joseph traditional? ›

On the altar, people place flowers, limes, candles, wine, fava beans, specially prepared cakes, breads, and cookies (as well as other meatless dishes), and zeppole. Foods are traditionally served containing bread crumbs to represent sawdust since Joseph was a carpenter.

What is considered the dessert of Passover? ›

When it comes to Passover desserts, flourless cakes are a top choice, especially a flourless chocolate cake with bittersweet chocolate. This cake is all about indulgence, with its rich bittersweet chocolate and a texture that's made perfect with ground almonds or matzo meal.

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