Guest Blog by Eating Europe – The Best Food Tours in Europe
Easter is a time of renewal, reflection, and cracking good food! From the UK’s spiced hot cross buns to Italy’s dove-shaped Colomba di Pasqua, Easter dishes across Europe blend history, faith, and seasonal flavours. Join us on a culinary adventure with Eating Europe as we dive into the vibrant traditions that make Easter a proper feast for the senses.
In the UK, Easter brings beloved treats like hot cross buns, spiced with cinnamon and packed with currants, marking Good Friday’s solemnity. The Simnel cake, topped with 11 marzipan balls for the apostles, is a rich, fruity delight, while chocolate eggs and zesty lemon pavlova add a modern sweetness.
For the main course, roast lamb with mint sauce and spring veg takes pride of place, nodding to Christian symbolism and Britain’s love for a hearty Sunday roast. “Easter Sunday in the UK is all about gathering for a roast lamb dinner, with all the trimmings—roast potatoes, rich gravy, and loads of chocolate eggs,” says Josh Harper, Operations Manager at Eating Europe London.
Across Europe, the flavours are wonderfully diverse. In Portugal, Folar de Páscoa, a sweet or savoury bread with boiled eggs, symbolises rebirth and family ties. Italy’s Colomba di Pasqua, a dove-shaped bread, brings peace and sweetness to the table. Greece’s Tsoureki, braided with red-dyed eggs, bursts with mahleb and mastic, while France’s Agneau Pascal (herb-roasted lamb) pairs with elegant chocolate bells. In Spain, Mona de Pascua cakes, crowned with chocolate figures, celebrate the end of Lent with joy.
Despite the variety, shared themes shine through: eggs for rebirth, lamb for sacrifice, and enriched breads for celebration. Today, modern twists like vegan dishes or global influences (think panettone in UK shops!) blend with time-honoured recipes, capturing Easter’s spirit of renewal and togetherness.
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Here’s to Easter’s shared flavours and joyful gatherings!
