Most people eat traditional Foods associated with certain holidays. For instance, turkey is a staple for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Black-eyed pea and stewed tomatoes are traditional foods for New Year's Day especially for people who live in the South. What is the traditional food for Easter which is celebrated on Sunday, April 1?

Main traditional foods

We know hard-boiled eggs are good for Easter eggs hunts, but what foods end up on the dinner table? According to Southern Living, the three main meats for Easter dinner for people in the United States include ham, roasted lamb, and roasted chicken.

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, most of it was eaten in the winter months. Ham was cured and was plentiful in the spring around Easter time. Therefore, a nice ham ended up on most dinner tables 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.

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.

For Christians, roasted lamb is a traditional food that is eaten to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus since he is referred to as the Lamb of God.

Sides and other fixings

Glazed carrots, green beans, and green peas go very well with any of the meats.

Of course, 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 fries. There are dozens of desserts that will satisfy everybody's crazings for sweets, including different kinds of cheesecakes.

Easter baskets

Children expect to get an Easter basket filled with their favorites.There are so many goodies available that represent the Easter holiday.

Parents have the choice of filling baskets for their little ones with chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and jelly beans.

What traditional foods will be on the table for your Easter dinner? What will you put in the Easter baskets you make for your kids?
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