Saint Joseph's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Joseph or the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, is in Western Christianity the principal feast day of Saint Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary and legal father of Jesus Christ celebrated on 19 March. It has the rank of a solemnity in the Catholic Church.

Probably the most famous food associated with Saint Joseph’s Day, which is March 19, are Sfinci di San Giuseppe. Sfinci are fried cream puffs, served hot with a dusting of cinnamon, confectioner’s sugar, and honey, or cold and open-faced with a smear of cannoli cream and decorated with candied orange and a cherry.

The word “sfince” (singular of sfinci) means sponge. And the pastry resembles one. Depending on the region of Italy, sfinci may have a different appearance and different ingredients. In Naples, for example, they even have a different name: le zèppole. And in Rome, they are called Bignè di San Giuseppe.