Easter (Pasqua) is a significant religious celebration in Sicily, also associated with the arrival of spring.
As a predominantly Catholic country, religious observances in certain regions may extend beyond the Easter weekend. Sicily, in particular, is renowned for its rituals and traditions, with processions and solemn religious ceremonies held throughout the weeks preceding Easter Sunday.
I was in Enna on the Sunday following Easter, which is known as ‘Albis’.
I witnessed the procession, which comprised all-male groups of various ages and sodalities or confraternities from different churches or fellowships. The procession travelled from Piazza Mazzini to the nearby Lombard castle in Enna.
From this point, the priest blessed the fields. The followers in the Procession held Professional Banners paired with statues of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
God The Father could also have been Saint Joseph . The association is understandable, as he is also linked to drought and fava beans (broad beans) and the blessing of crops to prevent famine.
OTHER LINKS AND EASTER RECIPES:
Easter Monday is called Pasquetta (small Easter). Being Spring, this is a popular time to enjoy the countryside and eating food outdoors, perhaps with a picnic or travelling to a nearby country restaurant and dining al fresco in the Spring sunshine (once again to celebrate the season).
Here are links to some of the traditional dishes eaten over Easter in Sicily:
Savoury Pastries
SCACCE (focaccia-like stuffed bread)
SCACCE and PIZZA and SICILIAN EASTER
• ‘MPANATA (A lamb pie, Easter treat)
• EASTER IN SICILY – A SICILIAN FEAST IN RAGUSA – Recipes and Giuggiulena
• PASQUA in Sicilia – EASTER IN SICILY (post 2)
CASSATA and other “cose dolci” (sweet things in Italian)
• CASSATA (It is perfect for an Australian Christmas)
• SICILIAN CASSATA and MARZIPAN AT EASTER (Food and Culture in Sicily, La Trobe University)
• CASSATA DECONSTRUCTED – a postmodernist take on Sicilian Cassata
EASTER SICILIAN SPECIALTIES …. Cuddura cù ll’ova, Pecorelle Pasquali
• CASSATA (Post no. 2) Calls for a celebration!!!
• PASTA DI MANDORLA (Marzipan, the traditional recipe)