The history of donuts is a delectable journey that spans several
centuries and continents, with roots that can be traced back to
different parts of Europe. The earliest precursor to the modern donut
can be found in the Dutch settlers who arrived in North America in the
17th century. These Dutch immigrants brought with them a pastry known
as "olykoeks," which translates to
"oily cakes." These olykoeks were small balls of dough, fried
in animal fat until they were golden brown. They were a delicious
treat enjoyed by early American colonists and are considered one of
the earliest forms of donuts in the USA.
In Italy, they call them
"ciambella" or
"zeppole". Their history in Italian culture dates back to
ancient times. These round-shaped, deep-fried pastries have been a part
of Italian culinary tradition for centuries. Ciambelle were initially
made with simple ingredients like flour, eggs, sugar, and sometimes a
touch of citrus zest for flavor. Over time, regional variations emerged,
incorporating ingredients such as ricotta cheese or anise flavoring.
The culture with the oldest history of pastries similar to donuts is
likely the Middle Eastern and North African cultures. The deep-fried
dough pastries like
"zalabia" and
"awwama" have been
enjoyed in the Middle East for centuries. These sweet, fried treats
share some similarities with donuts, featuring a dough base that is
deep-fried until crispy and then often soaked in syrup or honey.
And in France, a similar pastry called
"beignet" had been
popular for centuries. Beignets were deep-fried dough squares or
rectangles often dusted with powdered sugar and enjoyed as a sweet
indulgence. This French influence would eventually find its way into the
culinary traditions of New Orleans, where beignets are still a beloved
treat today. However, it was in America that the donut truly evolved
into its ring-shaped form. The story goes that in the mid-19th century,
a New England sea captain's mother, Elizabeth Gregory, fried dough with
nuts in the center to make them easier to cook. This innovation gave
rise to the round, ring-shaped donut we know today, with the hole in the
center.
Thus, the donut as we know it was born, and its popularity spread
rapidly across the United States.
