I galani are fried pastries found all over Italy under many different names. In Venice and in the Veneto the word galani derives from the sails of certain Venetian ships, so the name is steeped in maritime history. In other parts they are called chiacchiere, or gossips, because you eat them as you chat over a cup of coffee. In other parts of the country they are also known as lies, because a chat leads to gossip and gossip inevitably leads to lies.
I galani are a carnival-time treat – which is a time when you can play tricks and also tell lies – but in Australia, where this festivity does not exist, you can eat them at any time. They are excellent with zabaglione.