The Italian Easter Egg

Here in Italy Easter is celebrated with chocolate eggs, however the tradition started centuries ago with the moral of the egg. The egg is a symbol in ancient Christianity of new life like the egg that carries life that eventually comes out. The new life symbolizes a tomb containing the body of Christ, then when it opens it shows the resurection of Christ and hope for the world. In Poland, if fact, the Catholic priests bless baskets of Easter eggs for the people! In Italy you won't find Easter egg hunts, but the tradition for sugary eggs is still alive and well! In fact, here children get huge chocolate covered eggs that hold a surprise, like a toy, inside. The sizes of the eggs can go from big to monstrously huge. Check it out:

Minnie Mouse egg

Fancy-shancy egg

3 foot tall egg

A handpainted chocolate egg

And of course, Winnie the Pooh

Isles of eggs

I got my very first Italian Easter Egg this weekend and it is paitently sitting in the fridge waiting for Easter when it will be devoured. The cats, on the other hand, gained 2 pounds while I was in Naples for a week. My mom in law fed them very well, they love her more than me now, and the cats have since been quite resentful at me for putting them on a diet. At night, after their Atkins Diet dinner (a spoonful of food) they sit around like fat hens laying eggs. It would be great if they could lay golden ones or chocolate ones.