Where Traditional Easter Foods Originated
5 Traditional Easter Food Origins
First are the Hot Cross Buns. In England these currants or raisin filled yeast buns are a traditional favorite. Hot cross buns are usually eaten in England on Good Friday. They also have a "cross" on top of the bun. Hot cross buns are generally thought of as a Christian symbol but, these hot cross buns find their roots in pagan tradition. Some disagreement has risen over the symbolism of the cross from the pagan custom. A few opinions are that the cross represents the sun wheel while others believe that the cross might symbolize the four quarters of the moon.
Second comes the pretzel. Pretzels were originally created by monks. The pretzels were made using leftover scraps of dough. They used the pretzels to reward their students. Pretzels became a popular part of the Lent celebration during the Middle Ages. Pretzels are not made with eggs, milk, and butter or lard ingredients all of these are avoided during Lent which is why they use pretzels. Many people believe that pretzels represent praying arms and the three holes represent the trinity. In some countries they are even hidden together with eggs at Easter.
Next is the Greek Easter bread. Otherwise known as tsoureki, Greek Easter bread is a sweet dessert bread. It is traditionally served as part of the Greek Orthodox feast. Tsoureki or Greek Easter bread was traditionally given as an Easter gift from children to their godparents. There are many different versions which include a citrus flavor, topped with nuts of this bread. Traditionally a red egg is cooked with the bread as well.
This Greek Easter bread is traditional shaped into a braid. A red egg is tucked into the braids of dough. The bread is said to represent the light given to us by Christ's resurrection. The red egg represents Christ's blood.
How about our beloved ham. In many American homes, ham is a traditional part of the Easter feast. The origin of ham is more pathetic than symbolic. Fresh pork that was slaughtered in the fall that hadn't been consumed before lent had to be cured for preservation in the days before refrigeration. Curing the ham was a slow process. The first of these hams were generally ready around Easter time making it a likely candidate for Easter feasting. Many American families carry on this tradition today by serving ham as part of their Easter feast.
Let’s not forget the lamb. Lamb is another meat that is commonly served at Easter. There is actually a combination of two symbolisms for this tradition. The original use of lamb dates back before Easter as part of the Jewish Passover. During this time a sacrificial lamb was roasted and eaten as a reminder of the angel of God passing over their homes in Egypt.
Jesus was often referred to by Christians as The Lamb of God as it still stands today. The Hebrews that converted to Christianity also brought their traditions along and the combination resulted in the use of the lamb as part of many Easter feasts.
|
