Josephines Zeppole Food

ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Cut open the vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the back of a knife, scrape along the inside of the vanilla bean to collect the seeds. Scrape vanilla bean seeds into a small bowl. Add the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon and stir to combine. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan combine the butter, salt, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour. Return pan to the heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the flour mixture to a medium bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Beat until smooth. If not frying immediately, cover with plastic wrap and reserve in the refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
• Using a small ice-cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a tablespoon of the dough into the hot olive oil, frying in batches. Turn the zeppole once or twice, cooking until golden and puffed up, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Toss with cinnamon-sugar. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.

ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Stir the sugar, salt and yeast into the warm water and allow to proof for about 15 minutes. The yeast will be activated and have the appearance of a head of beer. If it does not, it should be discarded and replaced with fresh yeast. (Improper storage temperature will sometimes destroy yeast even if the date on the package indicates it has not yet expired.)
• Add the flour and nutmeg to a food processor fitted with a dough blade (or the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook). Turn on the food processor and through the feed tube, gradually add the yeast mixture. (Or turn on the mixer and gradually add the yeast mixture to the bowl of flour.) Then add the olive oil and eggs. Mix until the dough comes together.
• Transfer the dough to a large bowl and cover with a clean damp towel. Let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour. Punch down the dough and let it rise a second time in the same way. This will make the texture of the dough finer. Please note that the dough will not rise as much the second time.
• Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F. or as directed on the manufacturer's instructions for similar foods. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled marble slab and knead for a few minutes. Divide the dough into eighths. Divide each eighth into thirds and roll into a cylinder about 1/2-inch in diameter and 8 inches long. Connect the 2 ends of the cylinder and press firmly to make a circle. Grab the circle on each side and twist twice. Add zeppole to basket immersed in oil in deep-fryer and fry until golden. Remove and drain on paper towels. Sift confectioners' sugar over them while they are still warm.