an Italian-American Easter

As an italian-american family we try our best to follow both our traditions especially when it comes to important holidays as Easter is!
And what is the most important thing Italians and Americans have in common?? the answer is obvious...THEY JUST LOVE GOOD FOOD!!!
So... that's the same for my family:)
Here there are some delicious foods we prepared/baked today!
First of all, king of the kitchen...here it comes THE CASATIELLO!

Casatiello is full of symbolism both religious and cultural. The dough is rolled around salami and cheeses while laces of bread embrace whole eggs. The salami represents an antique pagan ritual where pigs were sacrificed in exchange for fertility of women and the land. Pecorino cheese represents the milk of the lamb or the innocence of Christ. So many symbols...isn't it amazing?!

Now there she comes, the queen!!!LA PASTIERA (and the Queen mother, my mom!)

There are different stories about the origins of the Pastiera Napoletana. Some people say that this cake (or maybe I should call it "pie") derives from the pagan spring ritual of the eggs (well... it might be! mom used 15 eggs for these! - there was another one in the oven), long before the birth of Christ. Another story tells of how this pie was part of the ritual breads widely used during the period of Constantine by the Christians hidden in the catacombs!

But the most probable is the one about some nuns in a monastery, San Gregorio Armeno, Naples. They desired to create a dish that represented the resurrection of Christ. To the white ricotta, symbolizing purity, they added wheat grains that buried in the earth grow in the coming season, the eggs, a symbol of new life, and finally the extract of wild flowers that represents the perfume of spring.
Well... when you get to know the symbolism behind Pastiera... the cake surely acquires more value in your eyes (it has alreday definitely conquered your mouth!)

And last but not least... our dyed eggs!

Finally something 100% american! we really had a lot of fun with those! I dye eggs since I was a very very small kid and every year I just can't wait to do it! It is a tradition in which I truly believe... most of all because it's a way to have some nice time with my family doing something different, relaxing and funny! When I'll be a mother I'll surely introduce my children to this tradition, as mom did with me!
Once again, I feel lucky to be an Italian-American!

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8 Comments

Comment by Marina on March 24, 2008 at 3:47pm: no, it's not my fault!:p anyway it's dinner...sooooooooooooooooo gooooooooooooooood!:P

Comment by Dave Pomponio on March 24, 2008 at 12:13pm: what is too great to be true - I am confused( which is not unusual, but in this case, it's your fault)

Comment by Marina on March 24, 2008 at 5:33am: too great to be true;)

Comment by Dave Pomponio on March 24, 2008 at 12:37am: OMG - I will share anything with you!!! So was I right - you can be slightly sarcastic???? Talk tomorrow - I love this banter, however short it may be. I believe I have a couple of unanswered e-mails to you!!!!!!!

How was dinner????

Comment by Marina on March 23, 2008 at 6:38pm: what's that you don't share?:)

Comment by Dave Pomponio on March 23, 2008 at 1:19pm: Again, I think IM in love!! LMAO You are just too much. And I think you have a little touch of sarcasm in you, which I may or may not share.