The Holidays Food Recipes Cooking International Guide
The Holidays Are Rich With Traditions
By Katerina Octanova
In some religions, for instance the Jewish faith, the Easter
dinner menu is rigidly fixed and deeply rooted in orderly tradition.
From Israel to America, every Jewish Seder plate contains bitter
herbs, karpas, charoset, chazeret, matzah, shank-bone and egg.
Every table contains cups of wine and a larger feast of fresh
meats, fruits and vegetables.
However, for many Americans, what to make for the holidays can
be a real conundrum. Do we make traditional ethnic dishes, blend
cultures or just throw in the typical ham? To celebrate Easter
specifically, we should look at some of the symbolism behind foods
exclusive to springtime.
The Best Holiday Traditions
Thanks to the Germans, we have some of the best holiday traditions,
such as the Easter Bunny ("Oschterhase"), the Easter
basket and the Easter egg hunt. The Germans also know how to feast!
Bavarian roast lamb and chicken are common entrees, but imagine
having eggs in green sauce! They sometimes also make fish cakes
with green sauce (the green symbolizing green grass and rebirth).
Colorful breakfast eggs (Bunte Frühstückseier), Chervil soup
(Kerbelsuppe), Easter bunny brioches (Osterhasenbrioches) and
colorful Easter cakes (Bunter Osterkuchens) are all part of a
traditional German meal, which combines sweets with entrees. Chocolate
eggs, chocolate bunnies, chocolate marzipan and Black Forest brownies
are some of the delicious treats the Deutsch enjoy.
Decorative And Delicate Hollow Eggs
The Germans are known for their decorative and delicate hollow
Easter eggs. They often decorated their hollow eggs with lace,
paint and ribbon, hanging them on a leafless tree; a tradition
which started to catch on in the United States in the 1990s.
To the Greek Orthodox, the Easter holiday is the most important
day of the year. Since the Greeks had been fasting forty days
prior to Easter Sunday, one can imagine how delicious the final
feast will be! There is much preparation during the holidays in
Greek Orthodoxy.
Red Eggs Decorated With White Patterns
The Saturday before Easter, the food that will be served is blessed
by a priest. The Greeks use red eggs decorated in carved white
patterns to symbolize the blood of Jesus that was shed for our
sins. Before the celebration, the house is cleaned, the Easter
biscuits ((Koulourakia) and Easter breads (Tsoureki) are made
and the red wine is purchased.
The centerpiece of the meal is usually a spit-roasted whole lamb
or goat. Appetizers may include Greek olives, feta cheese dip,
yogurt and cucumber dips, rice-stuffed grape leaves, sliced tomato,
pita wedges for dipping and cheese pie triangles. Other main dishes
are spinach pie, roasted potatoes, lemon chicken, romaine lettuce
salad and crusty country bread.
For dessert, the Tsoureki is eaten with thick yogurt and seasonal
fruits, syrup sweets are laid overtop ice cream, custard-filled
phyllo pastries and butter cookies are laid out.
The Egg As A Symbol Of Rebirth
As you can see, the holidays are rich with cultural traditions.
There are some traditions that carry universal meanings across
cultures, though. For instance, the egg has almost always been
viewed as a symbol of rebirth. Lamb is often used as the main
dish because of its symbolic religious meanings (Jesus as "the
Lamb of God," as ancient Hebrew sacrificial offerings or
as a delicacy).
In ancient times, sacrificial lamb blood was placed on doors
and the lamb was roasted and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter
herbs in hopes that their homes would be spared when the angel
of God passed over to slaughter the firstborn sons during the
great plagues of Egypt. The colors of eggs, jellybeans and flowers
symbolize rebirth and renewal.
About the Author:
Katerina Octanova has written a number of articles on food and
cooking including Christmas
Gift Baskets, The
Christmas, Christmas,
Santa
Claus, Christmas
Hamper, Christmas
Party, Christmas
Gift For The Office, Christmas
Gift Idea For Family.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles on this website.
Did You Know?
It is that time of year again. Time to see those little, yellow
marshmallow Peeps lining grocery store shelves. Right beside them
are the pre-assembled cheap Easter baskets that contain a big
wad of paper covered by some fake green grass.
You may have a toy inside and some cheap candies but that is
about it. Do not waste your money on those horrendous baskets.
Do something creative and assemble your own basket for your children
or loved ones. You can add quality gifts and candy that is absolutely
decadent. You can even do your shopping from home.
RECOMMENDED READING
|
