A German Easter!

My children's names are so very Italian! But yes, don't let that fool you, little Salvatore, Giovanna and Susanna are one quarter german! My grandmother is german and so today we'll explore Germany's Easter time! Germany is such a magical, whimsical, traditional culture with regards to how they celebrate holidays! I hope you'll enjoy today's blog:)

In the United States many of our Easter traditions have roots in Germany! Easter bunnies, eggs and Easter baskets all from Germany!

We are in love with the idea of an easter tree! The German tradition of hanging Easter eggs from trees is so beautiful and whimsical!

As with many cultures, Easter bread and cake is important in Germany as well! Lamb shaped cake is one of the beautiful traditional sweets I've seen! Found this link for a recipe... http://www.germanworldonline.com/index.php/easter-lamb-cake/

On Thursday before Easter, the day of the last supper, it is traditional to eat something green. In Germany, Maundy Thursday was also known as Green Thursday. The name was not due to the color green, but from the close association to the German word for "grief" or "weeping". Many families would eat only green vegetables, spinach in particular, as a way of humbling themselves before God. Here is a simple german green soup to try http://www.kitchenproject.com/german/recipes/Suppe/Grundonnerstagsuppe/index.htm

Just as in many other European traditions lamb is the centerpiece of a German Easter Sunday dinner. A traditional recipe for this delicious looking roasted lamb with juniper berry sauce can be found here http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/251631/roast-leg-of-lamb-with-juniper-and-rosemary

Easter seems like a wonderful time to visit Germany, so many events and traditions! Here is a great link to read more about Germany's Easter traditions! http://www.germanworldonline.com/index.php/easter-lamb-cake/

This was especially fun to research Germany's Easter traditions, we will be incorporating some into our celebration! I'm sure my grandma Lou who's fathers side was german, will enjoy and remember these old world customs from her childhood.