Italian Easter Staples

Many holidays come with tradition. In Italian culture, traditions are centered around what brings everyone together… food! The days leading up to Easter are spent in the kitchen, prepping meals and all the delicious desserts and foods that remind you of this joyous occasion. If you have less time to prep this year, but are still looking to enjoy some of the traditional items, you’ve come to the right place! We have tons of traditional items that will transport you right back to Nonna’s house on Easter. 

Here are 7 Items we look forward to every Easter!

1. Calzone

Calzone is dough in the shape of a pie or a pizza, then filled with various foods. There are two different kinds. The traditional style has no meat, but is filled with eggs, black olives, onions, and mozzarella cheese. All the ingredients are put into our homemade crust. On Good Friday, we eat calzone because there is no meat on Fridays during Lent. Some people enjoy another type of Calzone enjoyed on Easter Sunday. This one is our homemade sausage, eggs, black olives, onions, and mozzarella cheese. This calzone is typically enjoyed on Easter day. The addition of meat makes it a heartier calzone. Heartier foods were typically used at feasts. Since Easter is a celebration and everyone is rejoicing, the more ingredients, the better for the calzone with meat! Learn more about calzone here

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2. Easter Bread

Easter bread is a fun and colorful tradition! It is a sweet bread with dyed eggs baked right into the bread! It is usually baked in a circle to symbolize the crown of thorns that was put on Jesus. The egg in the center is to symbolize new life– like when Jesus resurrected. Some people also use Easter bread to resemble the tomb that Jesus was put in and that they found empty on Easter Sunday. 

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3. Pastiera

Pastiera, also known as Easter pie, is a traditional Easter dessert whose main ingredient is Ricotta! This dessert is light, has notes of citrus, and takes a while to prepare which is why picking one up in store is worth it! Pastiera is meant to symbolize peace and Resurrection! 

4. Pizza di Ricotta

If you don’t want a whole pastiera, pick up a few slices of our pizza di ricotta in our bakery case! This baked ricotta dessert is a must have on the Easter table. It has chocolate chips and zests of citrus

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5. Tuma

Tuma is a cheese that can really only be found right around Easter! It is a mild and creamy cheese, similar to mozzarella, but a bit firmer and with a more mild flavor. People often use it in baking and cooking! In fact, we just used it to make artichokes sfincione style…It is meatless which makes it a great dish for Good Friday, but honestly we could eat this any day of the week… watch here! 

6. Lamb Cake

And for dessert, a lamb cake! This popular European dessert is a pound cake in the shape of a lamb. It is then decorated however you wish! Usually with frosting, including green frosting on the plate to show a lamb laying in the grass. This tradition also symbolizes Jesus’ role as the Lamb of God.

7. Chocolate Easter Eggs

While not usually handmade, chocolate Easter eggs are a timeless tradition! Many kids wake up Easter morning with these chocolate eggs ready for them, others bring them as a gift to loved ones or hosts, and more! They are festive and the chocolate is delicious! Can’t eat all the chocolate? Chop it up and use it in cookies or dessert that calls for chocolate chips or chunks.

We have tons of other Easter themed items in store! Want to make everything yourself? Stop by for all the ingredients you need for your traditional cooking and baking.

Looking for a basket stuffer that will keep the Italian heritage alive in your little ones? Pick up our children’s book which has all your favorite Italian grocery store items

From Our Family To Yours