National Spumoni Day

National Spumoni Day is a holiday that celebrates the popular ice cream dessert made with layers of different flavors. Traditional spumoni has three layers, and the name comes from the Italian word spuma, meaning “foam.”

History

According to culinary historians, spumoni was created in Naples in the 19th century. A 1979 article in Chicago Tribune stated that an “authentic” recipe was brought to America from Nola, Italy, where it was known as “Neapolitan.” In 1905, Italian immigrant Salvatore Lezza and his wife Lucia opened a candy store in Chicago that served a cold, three-layer dessert made with almond ice cream, semi-sweet chocolate, and stracciatella (ice cream with irregularly shaped chocolate pieces).

In 1939, spumoni gained popularity in Brooklyn thanks to Ludovico Barbati, an Italian who opened L&B Spumoni Gardens. Before opening his own establishment, Barbati sold spumoni from a horse-drawn wagon. L&B’s version is served in glasses filled with ice rather than sliced, as is traditionally done.

Interesting Facts

1. Spumoni is traditionally sliced, not scooped, to display its colorful layers.
2. It can be made as a roll or shaped like a cake.
3. The most common spumoni is colored green, white, and red — the colors of the Italian flag.
4. It remains popular in countries with large Italian immigrant populations.
5. In the United States, spumoni is often served during Christmas along with cookies.

How to Take Part

• Visit an ice cream parlor with family or friends to enjoy spumoni.
• Create your own version by layering three different ice cream flavors with whipped cream, cherries, and almonds.
• Post your photos or recipes on social media with the hashtag #NationalSpumoniDay.

When is National Spumoni Day in 2025?

National Spumoni Day is observed on August 21 each year.

Observations