11 Italian Easter foods you should try at least once

Lamb

Easter Monday is known as Pasquetta ("Little Easter") in Italy, but is also sometimes called Lunedi dell'Agnello or "Lamb Monday", giving a clue as to the most traditional centrepiece of an Easter lunch in Italy.

There are countless regional variations and recipes: Romans might prepare lamb soup or cook it in an egg and citrus sauce, southern Italians often put it in a stew, while elsewhere it will be roasted with garlic and rosemary – every family and restaurant will have its own special recipe.

If you don't eat meat, why not opt for the veggie-friendly lamb cake – an elaborate dessert made in the shape of a sheep, which you can find in many bakeries.

Fish

Good Friday, a sombre date in the Catholic calendar, was traditionally a day of fasting. These days some Catholic families opt for fish, typically choosing light dishes with simple dressing.

In fact, many people observe meat-free Fridays for the entire Lent period – some even keeping to the tradition the whole year round – in tribute to Jesus's self-sacrifice.

READ ALSO: Why is Good Friday not a holiday in Italy?

Artichokes

Stuffed, braised or fried, enjoyed as a side dish or appetizer, artichokes are a springtime staple and a common feature of the Easter meal.

Torta alla Pasqualina (Easter pie)

Don't be fooled by the word torta: this dish is savoury rather than sweet. It's a kind of pie or quiche with eggs, spinach and cheese, said to originate in Genova, Liguria.

Tradition dictates that there should be 33 layers of pastry (three being an important number in Christian doctrine) and the trickiness of the preparation is thought to be the reason the pie is reserved for special occasions.

🥚 Torta Pasqualina, quanti di voi la stanno preparando per questo weekend di festa? 😋 Una torta di verdure, tipica della tradizione culinaria genovese, che non può mancare nel menù di Pasqua. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

📷 Via Ig @smallkitchengoa pic.twitter.com/4kp93YV3vG

— genovamorethanthis (@GenovaEventi) April 12, 2022

Colomba di Pasqua

This cake is perhaps the most widely-known culinary symbol of Easter in Italy. Colomba means 'dove', and the cake is baked in the shape of a bird to symbolise peace. The recipe is similar to that of a Christmas panettone, studded with candied citrus peel and sometimes almonds.

Sciusceddu (meatball and egg soup)

Originating from Messina in Sicily, this dish is traditionally eaten on Easter Sunday and is a bit like Chinese egg drop soup.

The name comes from the Latin word juscellum, meaning simply 'soup'. It's a simple, hearty dish, with the meatballs and eggs prepared in broth with herbs and cheese.

Buona #Pasqua igers!
In quanti porteranno a tavola questo piatto tradizionale?
Di origini molto antiche e citato anche ne “Il Gattopardo” di Tomasi di Lampedusa, lo #sciusceddu, il cui nome deriva da “sciusciare” (soffiare), è un piatto tradizionale del … https://t.co/KYXdiR9QrV pic.twitter.com/2w8bGPsXnv

— Igers Messina (@igers_messina) April 21, 2019

Riso Nero di Pasqua (Black Easter rice)

Another Sicilian speciality, this dish is prepared using black rice. However, while black rice is usually covered with squid ink, this is a sweeter treat – the colouring comes from chocolate.

Riso nero is a dessert similar to rice pudding, made with milk, rice, cocoa and chocolate, and usually topped with cinnamon or sugar sprinkles.

The legend goes that the dessert was first made in homage to Sicily's Black Madonna, a mysterious statue in Tindari thought to be responsible for numerous miracles.

Pastiera Napoletana

This traditionally Neapolitan dessert is found across the south of Italy at this time of year, with a ricotta filling flavoured with orange flower water, orange peel and sometimes with other additions, such as chocolate chips.

If you're making your own, be warned that pastry chefs usually recommend starting the process on Good Friday to allow plenty of time for the flavours – from orange peel and orange flower water – to infuse before Easter Sunday. 

Big news. The pastiera napolitana has just arrived... and it's got chocolate chips in! I think this means it's Easter now. pic.twitter.com/a5XdXoE7DV

— Clare Speak (@ClareinItaly) April 14, 2022

Pan di Ramerino

You'll find that each region boasts its own varieties of Easter breads, sweet or savoury. One of the best is the Tuscan Pan di Ramerino, a criss-crossed raisin bread similar to the British hot cross bun, but flavoured with rosemary.

Eat these on Holy Thursday, when you can buy them from street vendors or any bakery in the region. Local priests often bless the bread.

From a Florentine bakery: Pan di ramerino, Tuscan Easter's sweet bread bunshttp://t.co/llMijxT2Jf pic.twitter.com/1jnctZrzRD

— JulsKitchen (@JulsKitchen) March 31, 2015

Sanguinaccio Dolce

Sanguinaccio is the Italian version of what Brits call black pudding and what Americans know as blood sausage – yet unlike those savoury dishes, sanguinaccio dolce is in fact a dessert made from pig's blood and chocolate.

The dish is traditionally eaten in the run-up to Easter across much of Italy's centre-south, but is particularly associated with the region of Basilicata, on the instep of Italy's boot.

The recipe combines dark chocolate with pig's blood to make a rich, sweet and acidic cream, which can be eaten with savoiardi biscuits or used as a filling for shortcrust pastry tarts.

We're not sure this counts as a recommendation, but in the TV series Hannibal the title character lists it as one of his favourite desserts.

Easter eggs

If you're worried about doing without more familiar comforts, fear not – chocolate eggs have become a part of Easter tradition in Italy, often with a hidden treat in the middle.

You'll see elaborate displays of extravagantly wrapped eggs lining shop windows all throughout Lent. Resist until Easter Sunday if you can. 

A version of this article was published in April 2017.