Zuppa Inglese, a Lighter Version of an Italian Classic for Feast of the Seven Fishes
Zuppa inglese, which literally translates to “English soup”, is essentially a type of Italian trifle.
Zuppa inglese a great choice for dessert when preparing a traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes or just having a seafood meal.
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Brought to America from Southern Italy where it is all but forgotten, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is a meal eaten by Italian Americans that features (at least) seven fish/seafood dishes.
Along with our hosts, Heather from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen and Lora from Savoring Italy, a dozen food bloggers have come together to share menu ideas for your Seven Fishes feast. Along with the traditional seven fish and seafood dishes, we’ve included a few side dishes, a palate cleanser, a dessert, and a cocktail.
Salmon Rillettes from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Marinated Shrimp Salad from A Healthy Life For Me
Pistachio Crusted Baked Cod from Cravings of a Lunatic
Pasta con le Sarde from Savoring Italy
Tuscan Seafood Stew from Food Done Light
Mixed Seafood Risotto from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
Linguine with Scallops and Broccoli from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
Brussels Sprouts Risotto from Eats Well With Others
Marinated Roasted Vegetables from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Limoncello Sorbet from Creative Culinary
Cranberry Limoncello Spritzer from Snappy Gourmet
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As many Italians know, what is known by one name in one region of Italy, may be known as many other names in other regions, which I discussed in my post on frappe (or chiacchiere, or cioffe, etc.) My family’s version of zuppa Inglese is made more like a stand-up tiramisu than a trifle, as it’s not made in a bowl, but on a plate. It’s also not the prettiest dessert, but I can assure you that what it lacks in beauty, it makes up in flavor.
What is Zuppa Inglese?
Translated in English, it means English soup. Don’t get put off, though, it’s a lovely, tiramisù-esque Italian dessert.
Zuppa Inglese is made with Marsala wine soaked biscuits/cookies which are layered with plain and chocolate custard fillings. When left in the fridge overnight, the biscuits become a soft, almost cake-like layer, and the combination is truly top-notch for such a simple dessert!
My family’s version of this dessert is made with crema pasticcera, which is a custard-like pudding (made with flour) used for filling many Italian desserts. Half of the crema is plain, and the other half is flavored with chocolate. However, I have the recipe for pistachio crema pasticcera, so you could even use this!
However, I’ve taken liberty in making this dessert with a lighter filling. My mother used Nutella instead of chocolate the last time she made zuppa Inglese and raved about it, so I also added Nutella into the whipped cream.
Can you make Zuppa Inglese in Advance?
Not only CAN you make it in advance, you NEED to make it in advance, just like tiramisù! The biscuits need time to soak up the marsala, so a few hours in the fridge is the minimum time it needs before it’s served.
Can you Freeze Zuppa Inglese?
Although I haven’t frozen zuppa inglese, I would assume that it would freeze well for a short time since it’s similar to tiramisu (which freezes well.) Let us know in the comments below if you’ve frozen this dessert.
Christina’s Zuppa Inglese Recipe
this is how my family makes this dessert. serves 4 to 6
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- tea biscuits/cookies similar to these
- sweet marsala (I love Marsala all’Uovo, but unless you’re in Canada or Europe it will be almost impossible to find)
- one recipe of homemade custard, made with the same ingredients, but using only 3/4 cup milk (6 oz)
- Nutella or Nocciolata
- whipping cream
- chocolate sprinkles, or chocolate curls
Directions
Whip the cream until stiff and fold half into the cooled custard.
Put the chocolate hazelnut spread into the other half and fold until evenly blended.
Pour some Marsala into a shallow bowl and begin dipping the biscuits/cookies into the liqueur. Place three in a row on a serving plate, then spread half of the plain custard over the top.
Continue dipping biscuits in the Marsala (adding more wine to the dish as needed), but place the biscuits in the opposite direction (cutting the biscuits to fill out the layer, after they’ve been dipped). As I said in the photo above, the dessert never looks perfect, but it will be fine in the end. This process ensures the dessert won’t tip over.
Next, spread a layer of the chocolate cream, and repeat the process two more times, so you end up with this. Use half of the creams for each layer.
To finish the top, spread a thin layer of the custard and dust with chocolate sprinkles, or curls. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.
Buon Natale!
Zuppa Inglese (English Soup)
Ingredients
- 8 oz whipping cream
- 1 c crema pasticcera (using 1/2 quantities of my recipe below)
- 3 Tbsp chocolate hazelnut spread (without palm oil, preferably)
- 15 tea biscuits rectangular (like Nice tea biscuits)
- ¾ c Marsala wine sweet (preferably Marsala all'Uovo)
- 1 Tbsp chocolate sprinkles (or flakes or curls)
Instructions
- Whip the cream until stiff and fold half into the crema pasticcera. (Reserve 1 tablespoonful, and set aside.)
- Put the chocolate hazelnut spread into the other half and fold until evenly blended.
- Pour some Marsala into a shallow bowl and begin dipping the biscuits/cookies into the liqueur.
- Place three in a row on a serving plate, then spread half of the plain crema pasticcera over the top.
- Continue dipping biscuits in the Marsala (adding more wine to the dish as needed), but place the biscuits in the opposite direction (cutting the biscuits to fill out the layer, after they've been dipped).
- Next, spread a layer of the chocolate whipped cream, and repeat the process two more times, using half of the cream for each layer.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- To finish the top, spread the reserved tablespoonful of cream thinly over the top and sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles, or chocolate curls just before serving.
Notes
- Use a liqueur or spirit, like rum, if you can't find sweet Marsala.
Nutrition
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This is such a beautiful dessert and the perfect ending for the feast. Not only that, it’s so much fun to say!
Thanks, Renee! Yes, it is fun to say, isn’t it! :)
Looks so easy and delicious! We always opt for trifle on Christmas, but this looks like a close second!
This is actually an Italian version of trifle, Cynthia! Many people make it in a bowl, just like English trifle, however, my family does it more “tiramisu style”. :)
What a spectacular dessert! A beautiful way to end our virtual feast. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!!
Thank you, Liz! Same to you! ;)
What a wonderful recipe. I used to make it but my recipe was different. This one is really nice and simple to make. It looks great. Merry Christmas!!
Thank you, Suzanne! I’m sure yours was delicious, too! Buon Natale!!
OMG cookies, marsala, Nutella, chocolate…This has my name written all over it! It’s like all my favorite things all in one! Fabulous!
Tell me about it, Lisa! I just had a slice now- delizioso!!
I’ve never heard of this dessert before but I am in love. I adore anything with homemade custard in it. I would love a big slice.
I hope you try it Christie! It’s delicious and really easy to make!
I think your zuppa Inglese does look perfect! So luscious and dreamy. I never had it made like this, and I can’t wait to try it out! There isn’t anyone here that would turn down the addition of Nutella! A lovely addition to our Feast of Seven Fishes Feast. Thank you for being a part of the event. Buon Natale, Christina!!
Thank YOU for organizing, Lora! It turned out great and happy to be a part of it! Buon Natale, anche a te!
I love the sound of this – that custard, those biscuits, nutella! Plus, it’s so darn pretty. I think a slice of this would be the perfect ending to such a decadent feast.
Thanks, Heather! I appreciate you organizing the “feast”!