Stuffed artichokes with cheese and egg: artichokes, in season in spring, are filled with a mixture of grated cheese, eggs and stale bread. A vegetarian dish full of flavour.
‘Cruelty-free’ meatballs: there are many kinds, made with ingredients such as lentils or mixed vegetables, for a cruelty-free version of the classic Easter meatballs.
Fiadone, the sweet Abruzzo tart: an Italian cheesecake made with mixed ricotta (cow/sheep), eggs and lemon zest. Ideal for finishing the meal in style.
Pastiera napoletana: the classic, deeply traditional dessert that celebrates Easter with the scent of orange blossom.
If you really do not want to give up the symbolic value of lamb on the Easter table, be aware that there are also commercial vegan products that imitate the taste and texture of lamb, available in some vegan butchers and specialist shops.
For example the mince (which really does taste of lamb), excellent for making meatballs, sausages and countless other vegan recipes.
Eco-friendly Easter eggs. Even better if homemade
There is no Easter without chocolate eggs. Fine, but make sure they are made with Fairtrade, organic certified cocoa.
Then watch out for the packaging, which is normally a riot of plastic. Choose plastic-free packaging; there are several kinds on the market.
The best option would be to make the eggs at home, using loose chocolate and natural decorations. It sounds like a feat, but it is not.
How to make a homemade Easter egg
Making eco-friendly Easter eggs at home is a great idea to reduce environmental impact and have fun with a personalised creation. Here is the method:
Materials needed
- Organic, Fairtrade chocolate (dark, milk or white, depending on taste).
- Polycarbonate Easter egg moulds (preferable for better results).
- Kitchen thermometer for tempering the chocolate.
- Spatula and latex gloves for working the chocolate without leaving fingerprints.
Method
- Melt the chocolate.
Cut the chocolate into pieces and melt it in a bain-marie until it reaches 45°C. If you prefer, you can use the microwave.
Let it cool to about 30°C to temper it properly. This step guarantees glossy, firm chocolate. - Make the shells.
Pour the chocolate into the moulds and spread it evenly with a spatula, making sure the walls are well coated.
Let the chocolate set without putting it in the fridge, to avoid dull streaks.
If necessary, repeat the process to obtain an adequate thickness. - Join the shells.
Once set, gently remove the shells from the moulds.
Warm the edges slightly on a hot pan so they stick together better, and put the surprise inside before closing them. - Decoration.
Melt some white chocolate or use natural colourings (such as turmeric or spinach) to create personalised decorations with a sac à poche (the piping bag, a very common utensil for making desserts). - The surprises. If you want to put the classic surprise inside the egg, opt for small handmade objects made from natural materials.
Sustainable gifts. For example ‘experience’ gifts
If you want to give Easter gifts (a custom that is not very widespread, but one that many people keep up with close relatives or friends), choose ‘experience’ gifts: tickets to parks or museums, which are generally open at Easter.
The ‘experience gift’ is an increasingly popular practice, especially among adults. It has strong emotional value. It is unique and customisable, and shows how well you know a person and how much you have in common. It offers plenty of options: it can include a day at a spa, a romantic dinner, craft courses, food and wine tastings or outdoor adventures.
And it lasts. It has been shown that memories tied to these experiences stay in the mind much longer than material goods.
Sustainable mobility
True to the saying ‘Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you like’, over the Easter holidays almost everyone is on the move, either across Italy or abroad.
For all this travelling, try to choose low-impact means of transport and routes: walking, cycling or public transport for short distances. The train for medium and long distances.
Time for cleaning. The ecological way
‘Spring cleaning’ is another classic, healthy for the home environment and for ourselves too.
The Easter days are often used for this activity (without overdoing it: remember that it is a time for a break and rest). For the cleaning, then, choose ecological detergents: perhaps look into those that can be made at home, with bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar and natural soap.
