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