The Feast of Saint Joseph, Solemnity of Saint Joseph or Saint Joseph’s Day is a Christian feast day
celebrating the earthly father of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by many Christians in March and by the Eastern Orthodox Church on the Sunday after Christmas.
Tradition dictates that Joseph was a carpenter. He is considered the patron Saint of Carpenters, families, fathers, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers, working people and even expectant mothers. Some people say burying a small statue of St. Joseph in your front yard, facing away from your home will help you sell your house.
In Sicily Italy, Saint Joseph or San Guiseppe, is celebrated by giving food to the needy in remembrance of the legend that says Saint Joseph interceded to end a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages. The famine was ended with a rain and then a rich harvest of fava beans. People still celebrate by eating maccu, a soup made with fava beans and Neapolitan pastry, known as Zeppole di San Giuseppe.
Because Saint Joseph’s Day falls during the Christian season of Lent, a penitential season that
encourages eating meatless meals, most celebrations include meatless meals. Fava beans are an excellent source of fiber and a good source of plant based protein and iron. Try out this meatless recipe for Sicilian Maccu from Pulses.org and enjoy the fava bean this spring season.
Written by, Kathleen Carozza, MA, RDN, FAND
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-of-fava-beans
https://pulses.org/recipes/recipe/238-sicilian-maccu
https://www.bobsredmill.com/blog/healthy-living/fava-beans-health-benefits/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Joseph#ref1133736
https://orderisda.org/culture/stories/feast-of-st-joseph-deeply-rooted-in-faith-tradition/
