For us, the best things about Easter include enjoying time with family, making memories and, of course, enjoying great food shared with our nearest and dearest. We all have different traditions and beloved meals that make this time of year so special, so we sat down with a few of our Traders to uncover their favourite Easter eats.
Roast Lamb
An Easter Sunday favourite is lamb. “Through the year we love slow oven roasted lamb but at Easter we gather as a family and put the lamb on a spit,” says Kathy Tsaples of Sweet Greek.
To Kathy it’s more than just the food, it’s a chance to spend time as a family. “We prepare the lamb early by washing and seasoning it, as the lamb needs to be on the spit for a number of hours. We then all sit down and eat the meat with potatoes, salads and traditional Tsoureki, which is a sweet braided bread. Greek Orthodox Easter is the week after the Christian Easter, and it is a big part of our year.”
Ham
Ham is another Easter tradition that dates back centuries, and was believed to bring good luck and fortune. Ham is popular in many families, and Paul from Neil’s Meats always enjoys a glazed ham on Easter Sunday.
“A perfectly glazed ham is definitely not just for Christmas! Easter is the ideal time for ham, and we love to create a simple glaze that makes the ham look and taste amazing.
“The great thing about ham is that it doesn’t matter if you cook too much as it makes for such great leftovers in sandwiches, pies and quiches. At this time of year you can also enjoy ham in tasty and warming soups.”
We have a range of quality Melbourne butchers to choose from.
Hot Cross Buns
This year, Q Le Baker’s Hot Cross Buns are truly special. Theirs feature a fruit mix of Australian Sultanas, Australian Currants, Golden Raisins and fruit peel mixed with a special aged (over six months) fruit blend that macerates in French Brandy, citrus juice and lemon zest along with their proprietary bold, fragrant, woody yet familiar, spice blend. Q Le Baker use a blend of Australian-grown flour which is fermented for over 24 hours to develop depth and tenderness in the baked HXB.
The sticky irresistible glaze has an initial sweetness that blends into a mellow spiciness and finishes with local heroes Backyard Honey (citrus flavour) and orange zest. Each bun is carefully handcrafted by their expert bakers and finished with the iconic cross on top.
The traditional HXB’s will be available everyday the Market is open and their Chocolate and Frangelico HXB’s are available on weekends only.
Carrots
Carrots aren’t just a plain vegetable at Easter! Carrots are everywhere – from leaving them out for the Easter bunny to munch on, to baking delicious carrot cakes. John at Pino’s Fine Produce says that they are the perfect seasonal side with your lamb or hero meat, and can be prepared in many ways.
“Carrots are very versatile. They can be boiled, microwaved, caramelised or roasted, as well as eaten raw of course. For Easter, my family love to caramelise them with brown sugar on the stove top. They provide just the right amount of sweetness this time of year.”
We are considered the most popular vegetable market in Melbourne so come down and source your carrots and other veggies from us!
Eggs
Eggs are the biggest symbol of Easter, but have you ever wondered why? Historically, the egg represented the resurrection of Jesus and is a symbol of new life. Paul at Whisked tells us that many cultures decorate eggs at Easter.
“Some cultures, such as Greeks, dye them red and then crack them with family on East Sunday. Others decorate their eggs, with Germans making beautiful, colourful creations and hanging them on trees.”
So, if you’re wanting to get into the Easter egg spirit, then head to the Market for your local egg supply and perhaps a packet of egg dye. And if you don’t want the eggs to go to waste, use the blown insides to make a delicious eggy breakfast.
Whatever you plan to do over Easter, whether it’s a roast dinner with family or simply sharing hot cross buns and coffee with friends, enjoying great food together always makes Easter memorable.
