Καλό Πάσχα! Happy Easter to all my fellow Greeks and Orthodox-calendar following friends. As immigrants to the US, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins brought the Greek traditions with them and have maintained a vibrant festival since. In the days leading up to Easter, we prepare for the feast. We cook foods like spanikoptia, keftedes, fasolakia, and baklava together in the kitchen. We gather around the fire pit taking turns spinning the lamb, catching up with friends and family, and dancing to the bouzouki band.
Like so many people’s traditions, the pandemic drastically changed the way we’ve been able to gather the last few years and our celebration has been significantly paired down. It is nothing compared to what my relatives endured during civil war and occupation in Greece, and what others around the world are experiencing today, but the disruption of the past two years has made take stock of what makes this holiday still so important. For me, it's the connection to my family and history, as well as a deeper connection to the foods and rituals around it. Being able to handle and prepare whole lambs from nose-to-tail, for instance, provides a certain kind of reverence and gratitude to the animal, ranchers, truck-drivers, and butchers that I don’t usually get from a plastic-styrofoam package at the grocery store. I am grateful we've been able to hold on (even when we gathered over Zoom) and my hope is that the celebration will grow and thrive once again, passing it down to the next generations.
What cultural, religious, or family food traditions do you keep alive?
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