“Natale con i tuoi, pasqua con chi vuoi” (Christmas with family, Easter with who you want)

Easter in Italy

Many cities in Italy have grand Easter celebrations. While the days leading up to Easter are solemn, Easter and La Pasquetta, the day after Easter, are filled with excitement. In Florence, Easter is celebrated with the Scoppio del Carro, expolsion of the cart. The wagon that is at least 2 stories high, is wheeled through the streets to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Once there, a dove-shaped rocket is sent into the wagon igniting a spectacular firework show. Afterwards, there's a parade through the historic section of Florence. 

There's a saying in Italy, “Natale con i tuoi, pasqua con chi vuoi” (Christmas with family, Easter with who you want). La Pasquetta or Little Easter, is a nation holiday in Italy. Italians enjoy the day off visiting friends and enjoying a picnic of leftovers from Easter along with salami, cheese and perhaps some homemade wine. Some may travel to the sea, to enjoy the sunshine and the barely warm water. Entire cities come together for free concerts, outdoor luncheons and egg rolling games. The city of Panciale in Umbria has a different sort of rolling contest. They roll cheese wheels! 

Easter and Passover Food

It's Passover and Easter soon and many are thinking about what to make. Easter bread, spinach pies- with alici, without or with olives, meat pies and wheat pies! Do you have lamb or spiral ham? Or both? Are you busy making brisket, matzo ball soup and macaroons? Do you serve gefilte fish - I hope with lots of horseradish! That's the only way I can get it down! I just saw a recipe for matzoh lasagna?! Here's a twist on the traditional haroset -Haroset all'italiana, a paste-like mixture of ground dates, oranges, raisins and figs. We're having a combination of our favorites this week. I'd love to make some carciofi alla romana but it's so much work! Here's our recipe for our Easter bread.