Much more than chocolate eggs, Easter Food Traditions include succulent roasts and sweet treats, most with a nod to the religious symbolism of the date.
While many of the dishes vary depending on region and culture, there are some Easter Food Traditions that feature in most menus with just slight variations in ingredients and cooking methods.
Recipes that form part of Easter Food Traditions can be quite indulgent and often feature dishes that are forbidden during Lent in the lead up to Easter. A month of fish on Fridays is broken by a succulent roast lamb, traditionally served on Easter Sunday and seasoned with rosemary, garlic and olive oil. Eggs eaten boiled for breakfast, or found in a chocolate egg hunt, symbolise new life and are an essential inclusion in the celebrations.
Another favourite during and leading up to Easter are hot cross buns. These spiced delights originated in ancient Greece and for Christians, the cross on top of the bun signifies the crucifix. For an equally sweet, but lighter treat, try Easter biscuits. Similar to shortbread but cut into Easter themed shapes and decorated with icing, these are easy to make at home and are great for entertaining guests over the long weekend.
If you really want to embrace traditional Easter eats, a Simnel Cake serves both as a sweet treat and a food of symbolism. Packed with fruit, spices and almond meal a Simnel cake has its origins in mediaeval times. It is traditionally topped with eleven marzipan balls to represent the eleven apostles of Christ, minus Judas.
Wonderful food is one of the best ways to bring people together. Celebrate this Easter with friends and family by re-creating these Easter Food Traditions. Put your own twist on some of these delicious recipes and make them your own. Just don’t leave out the chocolate.
