Hardly an interaction with someone occurs today without a heartfelt exchange of wishes. Auguri di Pasqua (Easter wishes, pronounced ow-GOO-ree dee PAS-kwa) are exchanged across the board. Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Pasqua (from the Hebrew Pesach), and then Pasquetta (little Easter, on Monday) make this a long holiday weekend, meaning everything closes, which means you won’t be running into people much (except family of course) until Tuesday.

Of course traditions vary across the board. In Rome for example, prepare for days of asparagus, artichokes, boiled eggs and frittata of all kinds, ricotta and other cheeses, olives, lamb, and cold-cuts ad infinitum. Of course wine, and for this occasion chocolate as well (in the shape of eggs, mainly), round out the “diet”.

While we all have different traditions, Italian Notebook would none-the-less like to wish all its readers wonderful Auguri di Pasqua as well. May you spend this holiday and in any case these first few days of Spring joyously, with your family and loved ones close by.