Mommas’ Old Fashion Zeppoles

Being a stay-at-home mom, there’s just so much cleaning, ironing, laundry, straightening and volunteering that one can do. So every now and then I treat myself to a bit of television. It is usually around 1:00 in the afternoon when talk show, ‘The Chew’ begins.

Who knew that host Clinton Kelly, with his fabulous fashion sense from, ‘What Not to Wear,’ can cook?

I love when I learn something new.

With my afternoon tea in hand, I took a seat on the sofa and for the moment I gave the television my full attention.

Suddenly, I had a voglia for my moms’ zeppoles.

Clinton Kelly introduced guest chef Mario Batali.

Chef Batali began to explain to Clinton and the audience what he was going to prepare for them. Coincidently he was sharing his version of the Zeppole.

Decision made:  Mommas Old Fashion Zeppoles will be what I share with you.

So I called my mother for her zeppole recipe. She couldn’t remember exactly what the ingredients were, so I’m improvising by using food.com ‘Bethanys Jerseygirl Zeppoles.’

Your ingredients will be 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 pack of instant yeast, 1 cup warm water, 3 eggs, about 6 cups of cooking oil for frying and confectionary sugar for dusting. Brown sugar and cinnamon is a great alternative as well.

Mix the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.

In another bowl, empty the yeast pack and slowly add the warm water. Mix thoroughly with a fork until completely dissolved.

When the yeast mixture forms some bubbles pour it in the flour. Add the eggs and mix well.

Cover the dough with a damp dish cloth and set aside in a warm place for 20 minutes. The top of the refrigerator works well.

Check the dough for rising and mix again. Let rise for another 20 minutes covered.

Meanwhile add the cooking oil to a sauce pot and heat to medium.

An easy way to check if oil is hot enough is to dip the end of a wooden spoon in it. If bubbles surround the wood, it’s ready.

Carefully drop a golf ball size of dough into the hot oil. When the zeppoles are ready they will flip themselves over.

When the zeppoles are golden brown, carefully remove them from the oil and put on a brown paper bag to drain. Place them in powdered sugar or cinnamon and brown sugar and toss to coat them.

Serve with fresh berries and get ready for a real treat.

Do I think they taste like mommas? No, but they are pretty darn close.

Until next time, mangiare bene.