A Yearly Carroll Gardens Tradition: The Agnellini Pasquale Appear At Monteleon'e Pastry Shop On Court Street

As we approach Easter Time here in Carroll Gardens, the Agnellini Pasquale are making their yearly appearance at Monteleone Pastry Shop at 355 Court Street and Court Street Pastry at 298 Court Street.

Every year, the marzipan lambs make an appearance at our two remaining Italian neighborhood bakeries in the weeks leading up to this holiday. There is no  exception this year. 

The molded almond paste creatures have hand-painted faces, rest on a bed of fake green grass and are surrounded by a few chocolate eggs and candy.

It wouldn't be Easter without such a centerpiece for many Italian families in the neighborhood and  it is wonderful to see that the tradition is still very much alive here in Carroll Gardens

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Court Pastry Shop On Court Street Temporarily Closed By Heath Department

Carroll Gardeners, who wanted to purchase baked goods from Court Pastry Shop for the New Year celebration, were stunned to find that the beloved neighborhood store was closed in the last few days of 2017.  A hand written sign on the gate simply states: "Under Maintenance. Sorry for the inconvenience. Will try to open A.S.A.P."
Long time customers immediately feared that the bakery, which sells Italian specialties, was gone for good.  However, it turns out that the New York Health Department paid the establishment a visit on December 27, and forced the closing after "critical" violations" were found.
Court Pastry Shop, which has been operated by the Zerilli family since 1948, is one of the most beloved institutions in Carroll Gardens. For many in the neighborhood, no holiday would be complete without the shop's biscotti and Sfagliatelle. A visit to relatives in the suburbs would be unthinkable without bringing boxes of its pastries.

Let us hope that Court Pastry will reopen a.s.a.p., as the owners promise, because Carroll Gardens without this venerated institution would not ever be the same. Read more

The Traditional 'Agnellini Pasquale' Now On Sale At Court Pastry Shop

Every year before Easter, Court Pastry Shop at 298 Court Street, displays their traditional "Agnellini Pasquale" in its shop window. The molded marzipan lambs, seated on a bed of meringue and fake green grass, are a symbol of the Catholic holiday in Sicily.
Of course, it would not be Easter in Carroll Gardens without them. I can't help photographing them every time they re-appear, because I am happy that the tradition continues just a bit longer in the neighborhood and that the family-owned pastry shop is still part of the community.
More than anything, the agnelli are a sure sign that spring is on its way.



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Carroll Gardens Getting Ready For Easter

Agnellini Pasquale at Court Street Pastry

Marzipan Easter Lambs and assorted fruit from Monteleone's

The Agnellini Pasquale: A Sicilian Easter Tradition

Like clockwork, marzipan lambs make an appearance in the weeks leading up to Easter at both Court Pastry shop at 298 Court Street and Monteleone's at 355 Court Street. No exception this year. The molded almond paste creatures have hand-painted faces, rest on a bed of fake green grass and are surrounded by a few chocolate eggs and candy.

It wouldn't be Easter without such a centerpiece for many Italian families here in Carroll Gardens.

Can anyone give us more information or tell us stories about these marzipan lambs? Would love to know more.

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Carroll Gardens Christmas Countdown: Heavenly Smell

Christmas in Carroll Gardens would not be the same

without the smell of freshly baked holiday cookies

wafting out of Court Pastry.

Please tell me:

Which are your favorites?

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A Moment In Time: Late Afternoon Treat

It was the late afternoon
of yet another glorious day.
It was the perfect moment
to stop for an Italian ice treat
at the Court Street Pastry Shop
on Court Street.

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Local Pastry Shops Officially Open Italian Ices Season In Carroll Gardens

Monteleone's At 355 Court Street
and....

Court Street Pastry Shop at 298 Court Street a few blocks away

90 degree weather in April prompted our local pastry shops to open Italian Ices season. Both Monteleone's and Court Street Pastry had their little side windows wide open to customers.
Now I know that there are some in the neighborhood who exclusively frequent one or the other, swearing that one makes better ices and has better cookies than the other.
I pledge no such allegiance. Any cookie and any ice is all right in my book, though I do have a favorite flavor: pistachio.

How about you, dear reader. Where do you stop for your frozen treats?

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