Preparing for Easter: The Greek Holiday Table
As millions of Greek Orthodox (and members of other Eastern Orthodox churches) prepare for Holy Week and Easter, faith and food share the spotlight.
It is often said that the most significant and celebratory events in Greek family life occur while sharing food, and Easter - as the most important religious observance in the Greek Orthodox faith - provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy our families and friends with (perhaps too much) food, music, and an Easter Sunday celebration that often starts before dawn and ends ... well, before dawn the next day.
When it comes to the Easter Sunday meal, planning has already started for the big day on April 19th - with questions: Should I cook a whole lamb on a spit? Grill thyme lamb chops or souvlaki (skewered kabobs)? Or keep the meal indoors with a fabulous lamb roast (photo) or other oven dish?
Whatever we choose for the main event, starters, salads, sides, and desserts will be chosen based on the number of people, local custom, and family traditions. But whether the Easter Sunday meal is simple or elaborate, four elements will rarely be missing:
- Red eggs, representing the blood of Christ and rebirth,
- Tsoureki, an egg-rich sweet dessert bread, often baked with one or more red eggs at Easter,
- Butter Cookies, and
- Lamb or kid.
Easter Preparation Help
More Easter Ideas
Once the basics have been covered, take a look at other Easter traditions and incorporate something new! From our Italian Food Guide, Kyle Phillips: Roman Easter Menu Recipes and Neapolitan Easter Menu Recipes. From Spanish Food Guides, Lisa and Tony Sierra: a Spanish Easter Sunday Menu. And from Eastern European Food Guide, Barbara Rolek, a Serbian Easter Menu.
Photo ©2009 N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.
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