Repeat after me: Artichokes, Ricotta, Lamb, and of course, Pane di Pasqua

Pane di Pasque (Easter Bread) is a delightful Italian Easter treat you have probably seen in

your local grocery story or Italian bakery. The fluffy braided bread with sprinkles and dyed eggs is one of my favoite treats as I am a sucker for sweet breads! However there is much

more to the Italian Easter lunch than pane.

In Italy they say "Natale con i tuoi. Pasqua con chi vuoi." In other words, Christmas with your family, but Easter with whom you choose! So choose to dine with friends in the countryside over a great meal the Italian way. Dine on seasonal spring vegetables such as asparagus and artichokes. For a first course try a Torta Pasqualina, an Easter Pie. There are a variety of these Easter pies, each very regional, but one of the most common is a pastry stuffed with spinach, parsely,

artichokes, eggs, and ricotta. For the main course there is one over whelmingly common protein across the peninsula, lamb. Whether it's a lamb stew, lamb meatballs, lamb chop, or rack of lamb, you really can't go wrong with a good lamb secondo. And if you have binged on Pane di Pasqua for days then try a sweet ricotta cake with candied orange, Pastiera Napoletana, as a nice finish to any meal.

images via

simplyrecipes.com

yankeemagazine.com

deliciousmagazine.co.uk