Zeppole*

This is a light n' fluffy traditional Italian pastry. It's usually made in Naples for St. Joseph's Day which falls on March 19th. These are basically like doughnuts. It's easy to make and will surely win you 'cool' points! :-)


Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 1 cup
• Butter - 1 stick
• Water - 1 cup
• Sugar - 1 cup + 3 tbsp
• Cinnamon - 2 tbsp
• Eggs - 4
• Salt - 1/4 tsp
• Olive oil - to fry

Method

• In a pan, bring the salt, butter, 3 tbsp sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil.
• Take the pan off the heat and slowly mix the flour while whisking the mixture so there are no lumps.
• Put the pan back on the heat and mix the dough until it forms a ball and does not stick to the pan.
• Take it off the heat. Add in the eggs one by one while whisking the mixture using a hand mixer.
• Beat until a smooth mixture is formed. But don't over-mix it.
• In a pan, heat the olive oil (about 2-inches from the bottom). Using a thermometer make sure the temperature of the oil is 375 F.
• Using an ice cream scoop, spoon about a tablespoon of the mixture into the oil and fry till golden brown. The Zeppole will puff up. Do not put in too many Zeppole at a time when you fry. It'll bring the oil temperature down. Fry in batches.
• In a shallow dish, mix the remaining sugar and the cinnamon together.
• Roll the fried Zeppole in this cinnamon sugar and serve hot.

* Recipe Courtesy: Giada De Laurentiis