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Traditional Food to Eat at Easter

Traditional Food to Eat at Easter

by Mireille Kilgour

shutterstock_100608577 Easter is on its way and you're sure to see eggs and bunnies popping up everywhere. But just why do we have such odd Easter traditions? Find out what it's all about:

Eggs

Eggs may not seem to have a lot to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but they had a lot more to do with the pagan festival to celebrate Eastre, the Goddess of Spring and fertility. Eggs represent new life and are commonly seen in the wild at springtime when many animals give birth and raise their young.

In terms of Christianity, the BBC explained that the church did not allow eggs to be eaten in the week leading up to Easter, so any eggs laid were saved, decorated and then given to children as gifts. The Victorians then adapted this tradition and made satin covered cardboard eggs that they filled with Easter gifts.

Chocolate easter eggs started to appear in France and Germany in the 1800s but regular eggs are often used in worldwide recipes around Easter time. The Germans eat green-painted eggs on Maundy Thursday to mark the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles and the Italians use eggs to thicken broth-based Easter soups like Brodetto Pasquale.

Rabbits and lambs

These animals are also symbols of spring and fertility. Chocolate easter bunnies may have started from the German custom of creating pastry and sugar rabbits as early as the 1800s. Savoury dishes with rabbit and lamb are a particular Easter favourite for European feasts and may include a lamb roast or lamb on a spit.

Fish

Fish is traditionally eaten on Good Friday as an alternative to meat in order to show respect for Christ's sacrifice.

Hot cross buns

These sweet, fruity buns have connections to the pagan tradition where fruit buns would be offered to Eastre, as well as the cross to symbolise the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.