For many, Easter conjures up visions of chowing down on cream-filled candy eggs and gnawing on the ears of a milk chocolate bunny (don’t judge!), but traditions vary greatly around the world. From braided bread to green soup, here’s a look at what people in a variety of countries serve up as part of their Easter celebrations.READ MORE: 30 Recipes for a scrumptious Easter brunchThe Netherlands: AdvocaatAn eggnog-like Easter beverage favoured by the Dutch, this specialty liqueur is a creamy alcoholic treat made from egg yolks, sugar and brandy, with a hint of vanilla. Its name is a shortened version of “advocatenborrel,” which is a drink for lawyers.Poland: Babka WielkanocnaBabka, is a sweet, yeasty cake laced with rum syrup and drizzled with icing, and named after the Polish word for Grandmother.North America: Baked HamIt’s traditional for many families in North America to gather around the table for a feast of glazed ham, and everyone seems to have their own unique spin on the recipe for this time-honoured Easter dish.Italy: CasatielloThis rustic, savoury Neapolitan bread has a long history, dating back to as early as 600 A.D., and is distinctive for being stuffed with cheese, eggs and meat. In addition to being delicious, Casatiello is also loaded with Easter symbolism. The rising dough represents the promise of new life, while the bread’s shape symbolizes a crown and the eggs represent rebirth.Germany: Osterschinken im BrotteigA German Easter tradition, this dish is similar to pigs in a blanket but on steroids; a large hunk of ham that’s been baked inside an outer layer of bread.Germany: Chervil SoupIn Germany, the Thursday before Easter is known as Maundy Thursday, or “Green Thursday,” and Germans have traditionally eaten green foods on this day. This simple herb soup is enriched by the stems of chervil, a delicate herb similar to parsley.Italy: Colomba di PasquaColomboa di Pasqua — or “Easter Dove” in English — is similar to Italian pannetone, with the dough molded to form the shape of a dove, then topped with almonds and pearl sugar before being baked in the oven.Greece: TsourekiThis traditional Greek bread is used to break the Lenten fast, with the flavours mastic and mahlab adding a distinctive hint of bitterness.Bulgaria: CozonacA sweet bread native to Bulgaria and Romania, Cozonac is a not-that-distant relative of Greek tsoureki (a sweet yeast bread made of eggs, milk, and butter).Ecuador: FanescaThis special stew is only prepared the week before Easter, made from bacalao (salt cod), fig-leaf gourd (sambo), pumpkin (zapallo), and 12 different kinds of beans and grains, typically garnished with hard-boiled eggs, fried plantains, herbs and parsley.The U.K.: Hot Cross BunsAn Easter tradition in the U.K. and right here in Canada as well, these sweet buns are traditionally enjoyed on Good Friday.France: Le Gigot d’AgneauGigot d’Agneau is essentially a fancy name for a roast leg of lamb. This traditional preparation uses basic seasoning, including salt, pepper, herbes de provence and rosemary, with thick shards of garlic inserted right into the meat prior to roasting.Lebanon: Ma’amoulA buttery semolina shortbread-like pastry surrounds a filling of dates, pistachios or walnuts in this Easter treat from Lebanon.Spain: Mona de PascuaThe Mona de Pascua is a traditional Easter cake native to several regions in Spain, including Catalonia and Valencia, which will typically have an egg (symbolizing fertility, birth and resurrection) baked into its centre.Brazil: Paçoca de AmendoimBrazilians celebrate Easter with this traditional candy, made from ground peanuts, sugar and salt, with some recipes adding cassava flour.Russia: PashkaCreated by Russian Orthodox Christians as a celebratory Easter dessert, pashka is similar to a fancy French custard, typically shaped in a pyramid-shaped mould.Argentina: Torta PascualinaSimilar to a quiche, this savoury pie features a puff pastry crust surrounding a filling of spinach and cheese, and is traditionally served during Lent.Looking for more recipes? Click over to Food Network Canada to see 20 other mouth-watering dishes. .
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