Polish Easter baskets aren’t only stuffed with tasty treats, but they are quite colorful too. So, they can meet the liking of everyone from the children to the elderly. Almost all families in Polish culture prepare one such basket once easter approaches.
It’s important to know what to put to make a traditional Polish Easter basket. This article will discuss what you can put in these along with the underlying traditions.
However, it’s important to note that there’s no perfect palette of items to put into the basket. Certain items make the celebration special, but you can add or substitute certain items for others to give the basket a more personalized touch.
Get a Basket
The basket isn’t only there are as a tradition. It also serves as a carrier. So, consider the size and shape of the basket.
Account for the number and size of the items that you’re about to gift to your friends, as all of them must fit in the basket. Then, pick a basket that’ll provide ample space for that.
Another thing that people tend to overlook is the weight capacity of the basket. You need a well-built basket, so it manages to hold the weight of the items. Also, make sure the handle is bolstered with the support of a metal frame.
The decoration is also essential. It’s traditional to attach colorful ribbons to the handle of the basket. Other than making the basket look better, these signify new life.
The Food Items
These easter baskets consist of various foods. In this section, we’ll take a look at all of what you can use to make your own basket.
Easter Bread
The Easter bread is usually of two layers. But the number of folds can be increased in the bread. Usually, there’s a pattern of a fish in the middle of the bread. However, you can go for any other design that represents Christ. This blessed food is one of the best things anyone can ask for on an Easter morning.
Easter Eggs
Easter eggs are probably one of the most famous components of the basket. These eggs can be colored, and they often are. You can color the eggs with any flat color or paint a symbol on them that goes with the Easter theme.
There are commonly two types of eggs, Kraszanki and Pisanki. Kraszanki are eggs decorated with flat colors or have natural colors to them. On the other hand, Pisanki are eggs with symbols or patterns painted on them. Essentially, eggs with more than one color on them are considered Pisanki.
Another form, which isn’t commonly found, is Drapanki. These are essentially Kraszanki eggs but decorated with different patterns etched on them. These eggs can be of great joy for anyone for Easter breakfast.
Maslo
Maslo, or butter, is one of the most important foods. It is a symbolic item, and it reminds people of the goodwill that everyone should have when starting a new life, a new year.
Previously, the butter used to be shaped into a lamb and gifted. Onion and garlic are often added to the butter.
The butter is meant to be shaped into a lamb traditionally, but it’s not followed nowadays.
Salt
Sol, or salt, is put into the basket to remind us to uphold justice while chasing prosperity. Salt can be added to a small bowl and put in the basket.
Wine
Though wine is often given in a polish easter basket, it may not be suitable for some people’s health. That’s why I’d suggest that you avoid wine in the basket. You can add holy water instead.
Horseradish
The horseradish is put to symbolize the passion that Jesus Christ had held. However, this bitter fruit is often sweetened, which symbolizes a joyful event. If you can’t add the fruit itself, you can always put a paste of it in a small bowl.
Cheese
The cheese is put as a reminder of the moderation we should maintain all time.
Kielbasa
The sausage is often added around the round loaf in the shape of a ring. This is to remind people of generosity and mercy. There can be exceptions to making the ring if there isn’t sufficient space.
Smoked Bacon
Smoked bacon is often ignored, but most consider this to be essential. It also symbolizes god’s mercy and god’s generosity.
Ham
Another meat item that you must include in the baskets is ham. Ham symbolizes abundance. It also forwards the message of great joy, making it essential for easter Sunday.
Non-Food Items
It’s customary to add some non-food items to easter Sunday baskets too. In this section, we’ll be taking a look at those.
Candle
Only white candles must be put in the baskets.
A Linen Cover
The linen cover doesn’t signify anything; instead, it’s one of Poland’s most common traditions of preparing an Easter basket. You must ensure that the cloth is white, but it can be embroidered with colorful symbols. The symbols don’t necessarily have to mean anything.
Small Leaves or Branches
Greenery is a sign of god’s favor, family, and joy. This is why it’s important to add some in a basket. You can go for willow branches or dried flowers.
Conclusion
These are the items you can include in a traditional Polish Easter basket. However, according to the tradition, you should get the food blessed by a priest in a church.
You won’t have to wait too long in the church to be blessed for a priest’s visit, as they perform these almost every five minutes on the Holy Saturday.
