15 Recipes for the Feast of St. Joseph's Day

By Stacey Ballis
March 10, 2020
Credit: Jens Zalzala

St. Joseph’s Day is a feast day that honors Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary and stepfather of Jesus. It is celebrated on March 19 every year and is always a food-focused holiday for those who observe it. There is the creation of St. Joseph’s Table, decorated and covered with foods that people believe to be lucky.  These include fava beans, lemons, and any food with breadcrumbs which represent the sawdust Joseph would have created as a carpenter. Fava beans are lucky since they are one of the only foods to survive historic droughts.  No meat is ever placed on a St. Joseph’s table, since it occurs during Lent, but seafood is common.  And according to legend, any woman who manages to sneak a lemon off the St. Joseph’s Table on the feast day will have luck finding a husband. Here are some of our favorite dishes — featuring St. Joseph's Table ingredients — that are perfect for celebrating the day.

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Cucumber Lemonade

Credit: Molly
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Lemonade is a naturally refreshing beverage, but cucumber makes this version less sweet and more grown-up. And if you decide to add some sparkling wine or even vodka to it, who are we to say no?

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Light and Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Credit: Christina
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If there is a better delivery service for crispy breadcrumbs than a great mozzarella stick, we haven’t found one yet!  This version is baked instead of fried for a lighter take.

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Lemon Garlic Tilapia

Credit: Kim's Cooking Now
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Seafood is traditional for this Lenten holiday, and all of us could probably use a bit more fish in our diets year-round. You’ll love this simple lemon garlic tilapia, and you can also easily adapt the recipe for your favorite fish. Try it with salmon, halibut, or even skate wing.

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Lentil Soup with Lemon

Credit: nellybird33
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We love this lemony lentil soup as a meal starter or a light lunch. Serve with extra lemon wedges to amp up the brightness.

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Grilled Fava Beans

Credit: Chef John
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If you can find fresh favas in the shell, try this grilled recipe! A perfect accompaniment to any protein, and a wonderful way to celebrate springtime.

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Lemon Parmesan Zucchini Chips with Basil Aioli

Credit: Stella Cheese
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Lemon and breadcrumbs unite for these super snackable parmesan zucchini chips, amped up with a basil aioli for dipping.  It's the perfect way to start a St. Joseph’s Day party!

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Easy Lemon Cookies

Credit: sweetserenade
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There is always room in the dessert compartment, and these lemon cookies are a wonderful way to bake up a treat for the feast!  This super simple recipe is ideal if you want to bake with your kids.

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Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli

Credit: bd.weld
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Even kids will eat their vegetables happily when you roast them with garlic and lemon.  This broccoli gets crispy and sweet and will be a new favorite for your family.

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Limoncello

Credit: Viviane Moritz
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This homemade limoncello is simple to make and packs a great lemon punch! If you have never tried to make your own, now is a great time to start.

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Easy Garlic-Lemon Scallops

Credit: David West
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Scallops always feel like a celebration, so if you are going to make a dinner for the holiday, this recipe will be a crowd pleaser.  You can serve these either as an appetizer or a main course.

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Lemon Cake with Lemon Filling and Lemon Butter Frosting

Credit: Jens Zalzala
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Want something a little fancier to anchor your dessert buffet? Go for this gorgeous lemon cake with lemon filling and lemon buttercream.  It’s a showstopper, and just as tasty as it is beautiful.

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Lemony Israeli Couscous with Asparagus

Credit: lutzflcat
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This Israeli couscous with asparagus works as a side dish, or can become a main with the addition of some grilled shrimp, fish, or chicken.

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Quick Chicken Piccata

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Not observing Lent?  Try this lemony chicken piccata for a fast weeknight supper that will please everyone.

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Bake Sale Lemon Bars

Credit: Nomes
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No lemon-forward list would be complete without a classic lemon bar, and this one delivers on all accounts.  Not too sweet, not too tart, it is a great dessert for any occasion.

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Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguini

Credit: 3500inwood
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Lemon pastas are numerous, but this version with shrimp is one of our favorites.  The heat of the black pepper really balances out the tart lemon and sweet shrimp for a terrific dish.

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