Easter is one of the most celebrated Christian holidays, symbolizing hope and “the promise of new life” with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While colorful eggs, bunnies, food, and music are an integral part of Easter, there are a variety of unique food traditions followed in different parts of the world which makes Easter a special and memorable occasion for everyone. Though the Easter food traditions differ around the world, it all comes down to binding people together in the spirit of celebration! Here are some of the Easter food traditions around the world, and some ideas for you to get inspired for your next Easter celebration!
America
In America, people celebrate Easter by consuming ham. This tradition is old and originated at a time when refrigerators played no role in the preservation of food. The animals were slaughtered during the fall and the meat was cured to preserve and make them last longer. By the time Easter arrives, this ham gets perfectly ready to indulge in! Sometimes, the hams are also glazed with honey or covered with sliced pineapple which makes it all the more flavourful. The meal ends with a special coconut cake during Easter.
Britain
People in Britain include hot cross buns to their Easter feast, the cross on the top representing the crucifixion of Jesus. They are the most delicious bread rolls, made with raisins and decorated with icing on the top!
Legend traces hot cross buns back to the 12th century, when a monk baked them on Good Friday for the impending Easter festivities. Their earliest written mention appears in a 16th-century text, which famously proclaims, “Good Friday comes this month, the old woman runs, with one or two a penny hot cross buns.” While some suggest pagan origins, linking them to Ancient Egyptian bread rolls marked with crosses in deity celebrations, similar breads also appeared in Ancient Greek and Roman cultures. The exact genesis of hot cross buns remains elusive, yet their appeal as a delectable treat endures. Enjoy them split, toasted, and generously buttered. It’s even believed that gifting these buns strengthens friendships, adding another layer to their timeless allure.
Italy
Sweet breads are common holiday food in Italy. There’s panettone at Christmas, and colomba di pasqua at Easter. Shaped like a dove, a symbol for peace, colomba di pasqua is stuffed with candied fruit and then sprinkled with almonds and pearl sugar.
Another popular Easter delicacy in Italy is Pizza Rustica, also referred to as Pizzagaina, featuring a savory filling of meat and cheese embraced within a flaky crust. Much like many Italian culinary traditions, the recipe for pizza rustica exhibits regional diversity, evolving from Naples, renowned as the birthplace of pizza.
Greece
In Greece, the Easter meal usually starts with Avgolemono, which is a delicious chicken soup made with chicken and lemon. They also indulge in tsoureki and red eggs during Easter! Tsoureki is a sweet braided bread, enriched with eggs, cooked with traditional Greek spices. The three stranded braid represent the Holy Trinity and the dyed eggs represent the blood of Jesus. They also love a nicely roasted lamb leg. The lamb leg is roasted after keeping it marinated with homemade spices.
France
On the Easter morning, the French devour omelettes. It is an age-old tradition that began after Napoleon Bonaparte visited the town of Bessiers and indulged in omelettes with his army. Since 1973, locals in the Haute-Garonne village have whipped up a giant omelette for Easter Monday.
Spain
During Easter in Spain, people make the Easter donuts, also known as Rosquillas de Semana Santa. To make these donuts, the flour is fermented instead of using yeast. These donuts are dusted with sugar powder which makes it extremely presentable and a delectable food item to indulge in.
Argentina
The Argentinians love to feast on Tarta Pasqualina during Easter. The recipe of Tarta Pasqualina was bought by the Italian migrants when they migrated from Argentina in the 16th century. It is a tart-like dish that is stuffed with three different types of cheese, hard boiled eggs, spinach, and spring onions.
Poland
In Poland, a prominent Easter dish is żurek, a creamy and smoky fermented soup crafted from a rye flour starter. Traditionally, this soup is accompanied by a boiled egg and sausage, topped with a zesty garnish of spicy horseradish.
Mexico
When pondering authentic Mexican cuisine, various staples often come to mind, such as rice, beans, and tortillas. Now, you can include capirotada in that lineup. Capirotada is a Mexican dessert reminiscent of bread pudding, crafted by soaking bread in syrup and layering it with nuts, cheese, fruit, and occasionally sprinkles.
Jamaica
When the British captured Jamaica, they brought the cross bun custom to the island. As time passed, Jamaica adapted the traditional English cross bun by incorporating molasses instead of honey into the recipe. Moreover, in Jamaica, these buns are commonly enjoyed with cheese, a culinary pairing that has become quintessential to the island’s cuisine.
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