Each year on 19 March, the feast of St Joseph is marked in Rome and various other Italian regions with a sweet culinary tradition: bignè di S. Giuseppe.

In Italy, the feast of St Joseph coincides with Father's Day which is traditionally celebrated with bignè di S. Giuseppe.

These fluffy puffs of deep-fried dough have several regional variations however in Rome they are normally filled with crema or ricotta.

Bignè are sold throughout Rome on 19 March, and some of the most popular bignè venues include Andreotti in Ostiense, Antico Forno Roscioli near Campo de' Fiori, and Il Biscottificio Innocenti in Trastevere.