Easter Sunday is just a few days away. Easter is not only a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus but also a celebration of spring. The most common symbol associated with Easter is the Easter egg. It is thought the Easter egg was originally a pagan symbol associated with fertility and new life and therefore with spring, a time of rebirth and renewal. Eggs may also be symbolic because they were forbidden during lent and therefore celebrated on Easter Sunday.

For children around the world Easter represents the Easter bunny, colored eggs and candy. Different countries have developed their own style of decorating eggs the most elaborate being the Faberge eggs made for the Russian Imperial Court. In the Ukraine and Romania a batik like process is used to produce beautifully decorated and brightly painted eggs. In Germany the eggs were often made of wood and then painted elaborate patterns. In other places, the eggs were simply dyed pastel colors of spring. Today the eggs are made of chocolate, sugar, or even plastic to be filled with candy or prizes. Easter egg hunts and egg knocking contest are popular throughout the United States.

In Italy and Switzerland, the eggs are dyed and decorated and then baked into sweet bread traditionally formed into a wreath. The eggs will bake while the bread is baking. It is said the eggs are for good luck and I have also read the Italian children would find their eggs hidden in the bread rather than in the Easter basket. My family is Italian and every year my mother bakes this Easter bread to have at Easter brunch. She makes a dough similar to a brioche, braids it and decorates it with pastel colored sugar and places five beautifully decorated eggs in the bread. It generally serves as a centerpiece for our Easter brunch.

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