Z Is For Zeppolis

The New York World’s Fair came to the Queens Fairgrounds in 1964. I hold memories of crowds, seeing the Abraham Lincoln hologram exhibit, and being in awe of the huge Observatory towers and the Unisphere.

It was a hot summer day. I shared an ice cream cone and lemonade with a cousin. I was reminded to hold a little sister’s sticky hand throughout the day.  There had to be a lot more to the World’s Fair. After all, it was the World’s Fair. I was seven.

My lasting memory of that day was of my then four-year-old sister, Diana. Her light brown bangs were sweaty against her forehead. Her two hands, covered in powdered sugar vigorously shook a paper bag containing a zeppoli and powdered sugar. Diana’s big happy smile could not have been broader.

I tried to make a zeppoli once or twice. I did not have a deep fryer. There was not enough powdered sugar to make up for the oil soaked blob of dough.

The best zeppolis can be found at fairs and New York City street vendors. The dough fries up golden brown in the lava hot fryers. A shake of powdered sugar and a perfect walk around treat is born. I have had my share of excellent zeppolis.

I think that the image of my little sister’s joy in shaking a zeppoli and powdered sugar in a paper bag with the Unisphere in the background is my best zeppoli memory.

 

 

 

 

Welcome to my Blogging A-Z April 2018 Challenge. My theme is Food Stories Remembered because there is always a story when food is involved. I consider myself a good home cook with a great appetite for hearty food. I have witnessed the creation of favorite recipes in friends’  kitchens and have learned from the best—my mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law. Recipes may be included. I am remaining uncommitted on this because when I cook, I seldom measure.  If you try any of my recipes, you are cooking at your own risk.  Grab a glass of wine. Hope you’re hungry!

 

Antoinette Truglio Martin is the author of Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer. The memoir is a wimpy patient’s journey through her first year of breast cancer treatment.

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