Grandma Nancy’s Zeppoli

  4.3 – 3 reviews  • Italian
Level: Intermediate
Total: 42 min
Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 2 min
Cook: 30 min
Yield: 50 servings
Level: Intermediate
Total: 42 min
Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 2 min
Cook: 30 min
Yield: 50 servings

Ingredients

  1. 3 packets super active dry yeast
  2. 1 quart, plus 2 cups warm water
  3. 2 1/2 pounds all-purpose flour
  4. 2 teaspoons salt
  5. 2 quarts canola oil
  6. 1 1/2 cups raisins
  7. 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Dissolve the 3 packets of yeast in 2 cups of warm water. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes.
  2. Place flour and salt in large deep bowl. Add yeast mixture. The best way to mix this recipe is with your hands. Gradually add water while mixing until it resembles a loose doughy consistency, not too thick and not too watery. You may not have to use all the water. Make sure all the flour is combined. Transfer dough to a larger bowl. Cover with 2 medium size towels and put the bowl in a warm place for 2 hours to rest. After 2 hours, you will see that the dough has tripled in size and is ready for frying.
  3. Place 2 quarts of oil in deep pot (4 or 6 quart size). Heat oil until very hot. (Grandma did not use a thermometer. She knew the oil was ready by dropping a small amount of dough into the pot).
  4. You can use a large serving spoon, but we still use our hands, drop golf-ball size piece of dough into hot oil. Fry 1 side for a minute until golden brown. Turn over and fry for another minute. Drain in a large colander (Italians call it the scolapasta).
  5. Transfer drained zeppoli to large platter and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. When half the dough is used, combine the raisins with the remaining dough. Repeat the frying process until all the dough is used.
  6. Place the warm zeppolis on large serving platter. Serve with powered sugar.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 50 servings
Calories 415
Total Fat 35 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Carbohydrates 23 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugar 5 g
Protein 3 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 95 mg
Serving Size 1 of 50 servings
Calories 415
Total Fat 35 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Carbohydrates 23 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugar 5 g
Protein 3 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 95 mg

Reviews

Billy Le
Turned out more like a bread than a zeppoli
Alicia Rivera
These were good. However, what was really important is that my dad loved them and said the recipe was exactly what his grandmother used to make him.
Rebekah Parker
I grew up in New York eating these delicious breakfast treats on every holiday. Ours did not include the raisins, but what a great idea! You have to try them, at least once, you will wonder how you lived without a treat so good…

 

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