sfincia

Sicilian

Alternative forms

• sponza (Latinism)
• spugna (Italianism)
• spincia (non fricative)

Etymology

From Arabic إِسْفَنْج (ʔisfanj), conflated with Latin spongia (“sponge”), ultimately from Ancient Greek σπογγιά (spongiá), from σπόγγος (spóngos). Doublet of funcia, sponza, and spugna.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsfin.t͡ʃa/ (Standard)
• Hyphenation: sfìn‧cia

Noun

sfincia f (plural sfinci)

1. a type of batter fried in lard (today also in oil) then garnished on the outside with honey or other sweeteners. Alternatively they are stuffed internally with ricotta or anchovies. They are usually prepared for certain celebrations on spring or autumn.

   Pâ festa 'i san Martinu ni maciammu i sfinci.

   We ate sfinci for the feast of St. Martin.

Derived terms

• sfinciuni
• sfinciuni di san Giuseppi

 

Related terms

• anciova
• crispeḍḍa
• frijutu
• frìjiri
• meli
• mpastu
• pisci d'ovu
• zìppula

 

Descendants

• → English: sfincia
• → Italian: sfincia, sfincione