Zuppa Inglese (Italian for "English soup") is an Italian custard-based dessert.
Recipes for this sweet first appeared in the towns of Parma, Bologna, Forlì, Ferrara and Reggio Emilia, all in the Emilia-Romagna region, in the late 19th century. Its origins are uncertain and one theory states that it originated in the 16th century kitchens of the Dukes of Este, the rulers of Ferrara who had frequent contact with England, when they asked their cooks to try to recreate the sumptuous "English Trifle" they had enjoyed at the Elizabethan court.
To make Zuppa Inglese, pan di spagna (sponge cake) or soft biscuits known as savoiardi (ladyfingers) are dipped in Alchermes, a bright red, extremely aromatic Italian herb liqueur and alternated with layers of crema pasticciera which is a thick home made egg custard cooked with a large piece of lemon zest (removed afterwards). Often there is also a layer of crema alla cioccolata made by dissolving dark chocolate in a plain crema pasticciera. Rarely topped with cream, meringue or almonds in Italy.
Zuppa inglese is usually home made but it can also be bought in pasticcerie (cake shops), and is a favorite cake for children's birthday parties. It is also a popular Gelato flavor.
The word "Zuppa" in Italian cuisine refers to both sweet and savoury dishes. It comes from the verb "inzuppare" which means "to dunk". It is called a Zuppa because the sponge cake or Lady fingers are dipped in liqueur. Similarly, thick fish bean and vegetable stews and fish or shellfish stews served on toasted bread and eaten with knife and fork are properly described as "Zuppa di Verdure" or "Zuppa di Pesce".
There are other theories as to the origin of the name. Food Timeline has listed three of them at Food Timeline FAQs:
"The name translates literally in Italian as English soup and may in fact connote its similarity to English trifle. Others believe it is a dialectical corruption of the verb inzuppare, meaning to sop."[1]
"A dessert invented by Neapolitan pastrycooks of Europe during the 19th century. Inspired by English puddings that were fashionalbe [sic] at the time, . . . "[2]
"A dukedom, a country palace, and this rich dessert were among the many tributes bestowed on Lord Nelson by the grateful Neapolitans after his victory over Napoleon in the Nile in 1798. "English Soup," as it was called, was the creation of an anonymous pastry cook smitten with the admiral, the English, and their spirit-soaked Trifles."[3]