For Virginians, the Sunday meal is different from weekday meals. Most people eat as a family around the dining room table on Sundays. Holidays are extra special when they eat certain foods. For instance, turkey is the centerpiece on tables at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Black-eyed peas and stewed tomatoes are traditional foods for New Year's Day, especially for people who live in the South. So, what is the traditional food for Easter which is celebrated on Sunday, April 9, 2023?
Main traditional foods
We know hard-boiled eggs are good for Easter egg hunts, but what foods end up on the dinner table? According to the magazine Southern Living, Virginians choose one of three main types of meat for Easter dinner: ham, roasted lamb, or roasted chicken. A survey indicates that most people choose a juicy glazed Virginia ham. Those who do not eat pork will choose one of the other two meats as their main course.
1. Ham
There is a good reason for eating ham on Easter Sunday. In earlier times, pigs were slaughtered in the fall. Since there was no refrigeration to keep the meat for a long period of time, most of it was eaten in the winter months. Ham was cured and plentiful in the spring around Easter time. Therefore, a nice ham ended up on most dinner tables in Virginia on Easter Sunday. Any leftover ham would be eaten with eggs and pancakes for breakfast the next morning and sliced for sandwiches for lunch during the days after Easter Sunday.
2. Roasted lamb
A roasted lamb has been another traditional food with a theological meaning dating back to biblical times. During the first Passover, the sacrificial lamb was roasted and eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread.
3. Roasted chicken
Usually, Virginians and other Southerners, are accustomed to having fried chicken on most Sundays. On Easter Sunday, they prefer a slight change. Instead of dining on the usual fried chicken, they decide to have roasted chicken.
Sides and other fixings
Glazed carrots, green beans, and green peas go very well with almost any meat. Mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese are also favorites for a traditional Easter dinner.
Country Living gives many more suggestions for a delicious Easter meal. In addition to ham, roasted lamb, and roasted chicken, the magazine recommends seafood dishes including shrimp and salmon with asparagus. There are dozens of desserts that will satisfy everybody's crazings for sweets, including different kinds of cheesecakes.
Shortage of jelly beans
Young children usually get an Easter basket filled with their favorite candies. There are so many goodies available that represent the Easter holiday. However this year, there is a shortage of jelly beans because of the war in Ukraine. That country is one of the largest suppliers of wheat. Therefore, candy stores do not have starch to make jelly beans. It is a main ingredient in the sweet, chewy sugary candy.
Parents can still fill Easter baskets for their little ones with chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, and marshmallow chicks.
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