TRADITIONAL EASTER FOOD

Easter is the official celebration of Jesus' resurrection in the Christian church, following Good Friday, which is the day we remember his crucifixion. In addition to celebrating Jesus' resurrection, there are quite a few Easter traditions that have developed over time that families who celebrate this holiday enjoy participating in.

Unlike most holidays, Easter does not fall on a set date each year; rather Easter is a movable holiday, which occurs between March 22 and April 25 each year. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday that follows the full moon after the venal equinox, which was decided by the First Council of Nicea.

Easter foods are primarily those of Easter Sunday, the day on which Jesus rose from the dead, a day of special rejoicing for Christians, who also rejoice reaching the end of the fasting during lent.

Traditionally, in English speaking countries, eggs are delivered and hidden by the Easter Bunny in an Easter basket which children find waiting for them when they wake up. Many families will attend Sunday Mass or services in the morning and then participate in a feast or party in the afternoon. In the UK children still paint coloured eggs, but most British people simply exchange chocolate eggs on the Sunday. Chocolate Easter Bunnies can be found in shops, but the idea is considered as a primarily American tradition.

Hot Cross Buns are an Easter favorite in many areas. The tradition is allegedly derived from ancient Anglo-Saxons who baked small wheat cakes in honor of the springtime goddess, Eostre. After converting to Christianity, the church substituted the cakes with sweetbreads blessed by the church.

As a lighter,  easier, quicker alternative to Hot Cross Buns, many counties developed recipes for Easter Biscuits. These biscuits differ from biscuits available at other times of the year only in that they were originally made with allspice, which is also used in Hot Cross Buns. Nowadays, mixed spice is more commonly used in both. 

The Simnel cake is associated with Easter today, but was originally made for Mothering Sunday (mother´s day), the fourth Sunday during Lent. Originally, Mothering Sunday was the day when the congregations of the daughter churches of a parish went to the mother church, usually an abbey, to give their offerings. Simnel cakes have been baked since the middle ages and it is believed that the word Simnel comes from the Latin "Simila", which meant very fine flour made from wheat. Simnel cakes were difficult to make, but if made properly they would keep for a few weeks. 

Many people, especially in the United States, choose ham as their main course, and those with Greek or Italian roots often prefer lamb. In Britain it is tradition on Good Friday to eat fish and chips because it is catholic tradition to not eat meat on Fridays, which is mainly practiced still by many non- religious families on Good Friday. 

 

Dishes and traditions vary from culture to culture depending on their heritage and family traditions but these are some interesting examples of Easter foods that are often passed down from generation to generation.

By Sonia Marañón