Greek Easter is the most celebrated holiday in the Greek Culture. Our family’s Easter recipes are the traditional foods passed down from my family and my husband’s family. Although they came from different regions of Greece, my mother from Corinth and my husband’s family from the island of Kythera, we have merged together to make these meals our family’s best. They are all very similar in tradition, but a few changes from the many years I have celebrated the holiday. Living in California, we have access to many vegetables, and this makes it easier to adapt the original recipes, making them ours. Many more recipes can be found throughout my blog by simply searching the category and also under Easter.
Lamb can be served in so many different ways that we alternate the cut of lamb over the years. From the traditional leg of lamb, lamb chops, or lamb shanks for all, we never forget our children’s favorite side dish that cannot be forgotten our Greek orzo. The many other sides change from year to year also, adding roasted beets, lemon bitter greens, , a large Greek salad, or spanakopita, they all are appreciated at the table. For more lamb information read my post here.
Our Family’s Greek Lamb Shanks
Best of all, and most important are the dying of the Red Eggs, to be later celebrated at the table after dinner with a smashing of the eggs, and the one winner whose egg survives, without one blemish!
The Easter breads, “tsoureki” are baked with or with the addition of red eggs, symbolizing the blood of Christ. Bakers get very creative with the process and creative new shapes and toppings.
Easter Week is filled with traditional “Holy Week’ rituals leading up to Easter Sunday. Many participate in a 7-week fast, in order to cleanse the body for the final week, between Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday often called “Megali Evdomada”, translated to the Grand Week. During this plant-based” week, the community offers special foods including the local restaurants. Many of these foods can be found on my blog which includes, horta-greens, baked white beans, fava spread, spinach and rice, peas in tomato sauce, green beans in sauce, eggplant dip, black -eyed peas, chickpea stew, lentils, to name just a few.
A fava bean spread with beeta and roasted tomatoes.
Spinach and Rice makes the best weeknight dish!
Stuffed Greek Tomatoes a favorite for everyone.
Greek Stuffed Grape Leaves a wonderful dinner side dish.
Best of all are the cookies we wait for all year for and they are the Koulouria!
Lastly, but the most beatiful are the pictures of our local churches celebrating Easter Week.
A family gathering with my mother and family and freinds on Easter Sunday roasting a lamb on a spit for a tradional dinner.
Kalo Paska and Happy Easter!
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Hello from California Greek Girl. I’m the owner of Ethos Culinary located in the beautiful city of Carlsbad. Join me as we explore California’s bounty of foods, farmlands, and culinary experts. I’m looking forward to bringing you Greek, Mediterranean and Plant-Forward Cuisines. OPA!
