This blog is called Everyday is a Holiday and as I pointed out in the “about” section in a disclaimer…that title is a bit misleading as everyone realizes life is not always a holiday!! The last time I posted on this blog was February. And the months from that time onward have been anything but a holiday. We lost our beautiful Aunt Marlene to a long and courageous battle with lung cancer . She had always rallied, but this time it was not meant to be and she left us sadly in June. I did not feel like writing before this time .
And now deep into December I decided instead of sharing thoughts on my dear Aunt who was like a second mom to me…although I know I may do so in future posts… I would share instead a recipe that is so associated with her at this time of year: Her Italian Sfingi recipe.
Yet suddenly I could not find the recipe! I knew she gave it to me the last time we visited at Christmas in 2019. Yet you know how it is, in the midst of all the ribbon, wrap and gifts, things get put aside and lost. I could find it nowhere. So I found myself praying to St. Anthony, that stalwart of saints who I have been told since I was old enough to really listen, finds things. He is the “go to saint” for the careless, the absentminded, those that misplace things regularly. Being one of them as a child , I found myself bending St. Anthony’s ear with great frequency. He didn’t always come through for me. In fact I told my mother that surely he must be keeping all the loot lost somewhere for himself and that is why no one can find it!! Maybe my sacrilegious sarcasm alone made St. Anthony turn a deaf ear to me. Whatever the reason, I have not been too much of a believer of his powers. (which is sacrilege enough in an Italian family) . My friend Janet says that if St. Anthony does not come through, after awhile, you have to go straight to St. Jude, the patron saint of the hopeless. In fact she says she bypasses St. Anthony completely and goes straight to St. Jude. So it happened that when I couldn’t find my Aunt Marlene’s recipe, I called upon St. Jude. And he came through. Which means either I am hopeless or that St. Anthony gave up on me and St. Jude pitied me, or my Aunt Marlene surely had something to do with me finding it. Whatever the case- here is the recipe. They are lovely little, light pillows of sweetness that melt in your mouth and to me spell Christmas .
Aunt Marlene’s Sfingi with Ricotta
1- 1/2 lbs. ricotta
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 -3/4c flour
3 Tbsp baking powder
4 -1/2 Tbsp sugar
pinch of salt
- Mix all together until smooth
- Drop by tbspful in hot oil
- If oil is hot enough, sfingi will cook and turn over without help. If not, turn with a large spoon to brown on both sides.
- Add as many sfingi that will fit in skillet or deep-fryer but without crowding. Fry until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels . Sprinkle with powdered sugar , and sprinkles if you like
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