Of Eggs, Hot Cross Buns And 'Witches' Asking For Candy!
By A Draft Correspondent
Come Sunday, Christian communities across the world will celebrate Easter with fervour and zeal. The way Easter is celebrated, even called, varies depending on the region and the local customs and traditions of the resident Christian community.
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| At Easter, Swede children receive cardboard Easter eggs filled with candy and dress up as colourful Easter witches (Image Courtesy: Ulf Lundin/imagebank.sweden.se) |
In India, in Kerala for example, which has a large Christian population, Easter is known as 'Pesaha' or 'Passover' and is celebrated with a special meal known as 'Pesaha Appam'. This is a type of bread made from rice flour and served with a special curry made from beef or mutton.
In other parts of India, especially in the eastern states like West Bengal and Odisha, Easter is celebrated with religious processions and special church services. People attend mass on Easter Sunday and exchange greetings with each other.
In some parts of India, Easter eggs also form part of the celebrations. Children paint and decorate eggs and exchange them with each other.
In other regions, such as Goa, traditional sweets such as 'neureos' (coconut and jaggery-filled pastries) and 'pinagr' (a type of pudding made with rice) are prepared and shared with family and friends.
In the United States, Easter is typically celebrated with church services, Easter egg hunts and family gatherings. Easter baskets filled with candy and small gifts are a common tradition, as is decorating Easter eggs.
Hot Cross Buns (sweet buns with a cross on top) are a traditional Easter food in UK. Many people also decorate their homes with Easter flowers, such as daffodils and tulips.
Recipe for Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup currants
1/4 cup candied citrus peel
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1 egg, beaten, for egg wash
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter together over low heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm.
Beat the eggs in a small bowl.
Add the milk and butter mixture to the dry ingredients, followed by the beaten eggs. Stir to combine.
Add the currants and candied citrus peel to the dough and stir until they are evenly distributed.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let rise in a warm, draft-free place for one hour.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place them on a greased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Cover the dough balls with a damp towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Use a sharp knife to make a cross on top of each dough ball.
Brush the dough balls with the beaten egg.
Bake the hot cross buns for 20-25 minutes, until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
While the buns are baking, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a glaze.
Once the buns are done baking, let them cool for a few minutes before brushing them with the glaze.
Serve the Hot Cross Buns warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Easter is a very important holiday in Greece. The week leading up to Easter here is called Holy Week and there are many religious ceremonies and processions during this time. On Easter Sunday, the devout traditionally roast a whole lamb on a spit and share a big feast with family and friends.
In Italy, Easter traditions vary with each region. In Florence, there is an elaborate parade called the Scoppio del Carro (explosion of the cart) where a cart filled with fireworks is lit on fire while in Sicily, there is a procession with statues of the Virgin Mary and other saints.
Swedish children dress up as witches and go door-to-door asking for candy on the Thursday before Easter, which is called Maundy Thursday. There is also a tradition of eating pickled herring and other Easter foods.
In Poland, there are many Easter traditions, including decorating eggs with intricate designs, making Easter baskets filled with food and gifts and participating in processions with statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
Easter is celebrated with a big feast, in Brazil, called the Easter Vigil, which includes a lot of traditional foods such as codfish, Easter eggs and breads.
And, in Australia, since Easter falls during the autumn season, most people celebrate with outdoor activities such as camping and hiking. Hot cross buns and chocolate Easter eggs are also popular treats at this time.
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