ITALIAN EASTER MENU
What are the best dishes to serve during Easter?
In Italy, and many parts of the world, Easter is such a sacred time and a very important occasion to spend time with family. Part of this means sharing meals with loved ones. Traditionally, as part of Good Friday, seafood dishes are prepared and enjoyed together ahead of a celebratory feast on Easter Sunday.
What is traditionally eaten on Easter Sunday varies in Italy from region to region. Despite this, my Nonna never really changes her menu! But as I immigrated some time ago, I learnt that it can be really beautiful to simply create some favourite dishes on a day like this.
My Easter Menu
So, I have created an Easter Menu for you to enjoy, complete with 3 antipasto dishes, a “primo piatto” (pasta dish), 1 main and a decadent dessert.
Antipasto
For the starters, you cannot go past my wife’s family recipe for zeppole. These deep fried savoury morsels of dough can be enjoyed stuffed with anchovies, mozzarella and tomato – or nothing at all. Either way, they are great to cook on the spot and share. Really opening up and opportunity to enjoy time with others while sharing a delicious bite.
As part of the Easter menu feast, I also recommend making some classic bruschetta. This is easy to prepare ahead (then just assemble before serving) and always loved by young and old so definitely a crowd pleaser. Heading toward the pasta dish of the day, it’s time to serve an Abruzzese classic: Cacio e Ova – Cheese balls from my region. These tasty balls can be made in different sizes. I would suggest making them smaller for this meal so they don’t fill up everyone’s tummy at the start of the day! You can also serve them two ways: the traditional style, in sauce, or plain with sauce on the side.
Pasta Dish – served as a “Primo Piatto”
Next up, you cannot go past my Classic Lasagna. Made with veal and pork, layers of pasta sheets and melted cheese. It is full of simple ingredients that remind everyone how much Italians really respect their ingredients and pair flavours so well!
The Main Event
Although a good break may be necessary in between, I chose to recommend Chicken Cacciatore as a main. When slow cooked, the meat will literally fall off the bone so take your time cooking it and make extra. You can shred any leftovers and stuff it into panini to enjoy for lunch the next day.
Dessert – an obvious one for me!
As a grand finale, I think the choice is an obvious one… my Italian Tiramisu! Do I even need to describe why this is on my Easter menu?
Layers of lady fingers, whipped mascarpone cream cocoa and crushed chocolate pieces. You should definitely decorate it with mini chocolate Easter eggs to keep it in theme! The next day a decadent breakfast is served! If you don’t want the children to have coffee, just If you are making just one dessert, and don’t want the children to have coffee, just make a separate serving and
dip the biscuits into milk instead.
Every family have the usual dishes they serve for Easter. But keep in mind that you can make your own traditions. You can incorporate a favourite dish from every family member and this could become your regular menu! While my Nonna may not approve of this, I’m sure she would still enjoy everything I prepared.
Watch my Easter Menu video
What does your family enjoy eating at Easter time?
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