In the lead in our quest for the best Zeppole in Boston is this version from Modern Pastry in the North End.
Lovely, light and airy pastry is split, layered with pastry cream and if you so desire, (and who wouldn't?) black cherries in syrup are ladled on, before the top is replaced and sprinkled with icing sugar.
The cherry syrup soaks into the bottom pastry giving you different textures in different bites. The top is crisp with a light chew. The cherry soaked bottom is rich and dense.
Get to the North End before Saint Joseph's Day, March 19th, and try this one yourself. And, let us know where you think we should go to find a worthy contender for the best Zeppole title.
This one was big enough to share. We're on the lookout for smaller ones, prepared with pastry cream and a cherry on top. This is the style we knew from Rhode Island bakeries, and we'd love to find a version of it locally.
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Details:
Modern Pastry
257 Hanover Street, Boston, MA (Map & Reviews)
617-523-3783
Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino