Lexi Webster
Easter in Australia is a significant Christian holiday, with many families attending church services. The eating of hot cross buns, chocolate eggs, and lamb are popular Easter traditions. Hot cross buns, which are often fruity, mark the end of Lent, as they contain dairy, which is forbidden during this period. The cross on the bun represents the crucifixion of Jesus, and the spices inside represent the spices used to embalm him. Australians also enjoy roast lamb, beef, or chicken accompanied by roasted vegetables on Easter Monday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main dishes | Roast lamb, beef, chicken, or fish |
| Sweets | Hot cross buns, chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, chocolate bilbies |
| Fruits | Apples, raisins |
| Drinks | None found |
| Spices | Cinnamon |
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What You'll Learn
Hot cross buns
The history of the hot cross bun dates back to the 12th century when an English monk decorated his freshly baked buns with a cross on Good Friday, also known as the Day of the Cross. Over time, fruits and spices were added to the buns to represent health and prosperity. The spices inside also signify the spices used to embalm Jesus, and sometimes the buns include orange peel to reflect the bitterness of his time on the cross.
In Australia, supermarkets offer a variety of hot cross bun flavours, including chocolate chip, sour cherry, Vegemite, and even savoury options like jalapeño and cheese. These creative flavours add a unique twist to the traditional Easter treat, making them a popular choice for Australians during the Easter season.
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Chocolate eggs
In Australia, chocolate eggs are often hidden by the Easter Bunny or the Easter Bilby, a small marsupial that is endangered in the country. The Easter Bilby is preferred by many Australians as rabbits are considered pests, particularly by farmers. The chocolate eggs available in Australia come in a variety of forms, from the Cadbury Mini Easter Eggs, which are similar to large M&Ms with a hard candy shell, to colourful chocolate eggs and chocolate eggs inside chocolate bars.
The main brands of chocolate eggs in Australia are Koko Black and Haigh's, but there are also many small local businesses that produce chocolate eggs. These chocolate treats can be purchased from major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, as well as specialty chocolate stores. In addition to chocolate eggs, other sweets and chocolate creations in the shape of the Easter Bunny or Bilby are also consumed in Australia during Easter.
The Easter Bunny is a popular symbol of Easter in Australia, but the country has its own unique twist with the Easter Bilby. This alternative symbol is used to raise awareness and funds for endangered species in Australia, such as the Bilby, which is a small marsupial native to the country. By choosing to celebrate the Easter Bilby, Australians are showing their support for conservation efforts and recognising the environmental challenges faced by some native species.
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Roast lamb
There are several ways to prepare a roast lamb for Easter. One recipe suggests using a leg of lamb, which is a good option for those who haven't cooked a whole leg before. The lamb is rubbed with garlic and rosemary and served with gravy, peas, carrots, and crispy roast potatoes. The gravy is made from the pan drippings, which gives it a deep brown colour. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the lamb is cooked to a blushing pink.
Another recipe suggests using a lamb shoulder, which is a tougher cut that requires slow cooking. The lamb is boneless and stuffed with a herby, nutty mushroom duxelle filling. It is roasted on a bed of fondant potatoes cooked "confit-style" in the lamb drippings. This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated, making it a convenient option for special occasions.
A third recipe recommends using anchovies and butter as the secret ingredients to a delicious roast lamb. The anchovies and butter are mixed into a paste and smeared all over the surface of the roast. The lamb is then seasoned with black pepper and placed in a roasting pan, fat side up, with lemon halves squeezed over it. Wine is poured into the pan and the lamb is roasted for 15 minutes before the heat is reduced and it continues to cook for another 60 to 90 minutes. The roast is then removed from the oven and allowed to rest for at least 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
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Chocolate bilbies
The Easter Bilby is an Australian alternative to the traditional Easter Bunny. The bilby is a native Australian marsupial that has been endangered for some time due to habitat loss caused by humans and rabbits. The idea of the Easter Bilby was first proposed in 1968 by a 9-year-old girl in Queensland, Rose-Marie Dusting, who wrote a story called "Billy the Aussie Easter Bilby". The story helped spark public interest in saving the bilby, and in 1991, the Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia began campaigning to replace the Easter Bunny with native wildlife.
In addition to chocolate bilbies, other popular foods consumed during Easter in Australia include hot cross buns, chocolate eggs, and a traditional Easter roast dinner with lamb, beef, or chicken and roasted vegetables.
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Fish
In Australia, there is a wide variety of sustainable seafood available during Easter, including both fin-fish and crustaceans. Crayfish, oysters, salmon, trout, scallops, flathead, gummy shark, pink ling, and trevalla are some of the seafood specialties found in Tasmania. Additionally, a new species of grouper, also known as "rockcod," was recently discovered being sold and consumed in southeastern Australia.
The choice of seafood during Easter is not limited to fish, as prawns, lobsters, and other shellfish are also popular options for Australians. The Marine Stewardship Council recommends looking for the MSC blue fish tick label when purchasing seafood to ensure it is sustainable and sourced from a certified fishery.
While fish is a traditional dish during Easter in Australia, it is worth noting that other foods such as hot cross buns, chocolate eggs, and a traditional Easter roast dinner are also commonly consumed during the Easter holiday period.
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Frequently asked questions
Australians eat hot cross buns, chocolate eggs, and lamb for Easter. Fish is also eaten on Good Friday, as meat is avoided on this day.
Hot cross buns are spiced fruit buns with a cross on top, representing the crucifixion of Jesus. They are traditionally eaten at Easter to mark the end of Lent, as they contain dairy, which is forbidden during this period.
There are a variety of hot cross bun flavours in Australia, including Caramilk, Apple Cinnamon, Rum and Raisin, and Triple Chocolate. Coles supermarkets have also released Vegemite hot cross buns.
The egg is a symbol of life and fertility and is said to represent the tomb of Jesus after the crucifixion. The giving of eggs as gifts around the Spring equinox is a tradition that predates Christianity.
Australians also enjoy a traditional Easter roast dinner, including roast chicken, beef, or lamb, accompanied by roasted vegetables.
