Text and photos: Suzana Fantov
Easter is the most important Christian holiday. One of the most beautiful and long-standing traditions associated with it is the preparation of the Easter basket. This basket is taken to church for blessing.
This deeply rooted custom is passed down from generation to generation. It symbolises gratitude for the fruits of the earth and God’s grace.
On Holy Saturday, believers across Croatia—and in Croatian Catholic communities around the world—carefully prepare their baskets filled with traditional Easter foods. The baskets are often decorated with white embroidered cloths and flowers. Every item placed inside carries its own symbolic meaning.
The Church doesn’t prescribe specific rules for what should be brought for the Easter food blessing. Thus, people choose freely, guided by the customs and traditions of their local area. Usually, foods considered traditional for Easter breakfast are included, along with some widely recognised items. Nowadays, regional traditions often blend together. Whatever you bring is welcomed. Just make sure to bring an amount that can reasonably be eaten at Easter breakfast (or perhaps during the rest of the day), to avoid wasting the blessed food.
Typical items found in an Easter basket
Easter eggs (Pisanice) – Hand-decorated eggs symbolising new life and Christ’s resurrection. It’s customary to include one coloured (naturally or otherwise) or plain egg per family member. Each person should ideally eat or at least taste their egg, and any leftovers can be shared among others. Don’t throw away the eggshells—crush them and use them in flower pots or in the garden.
Ham or cured meat – A sign of abundance and God’s generosity. This might be smoked meat, bacon, ham, a piece of prosciutto, pork loin or something similar. There’s no need to bring a large quantity—just enough for everyone to have a small taste at breakfast.
Spring onions and horseradish – Symbols of health and strength, and also a reminder of suffering and sacrifice. In some regions, only salt is included. In others, pepper and sugar are added. While in some parts of Croatia, horseradish alone is the tradition. Spices don’t all need to be consumed on Easter morning. However, once blessed, they should be used before the next Easter. Include only those you’ll actually use so nothing goes to waste.
Sweet Easter bread (Sirnica) – A fragrant and rich bread symbolising Christ as the bread of life. Every region has its own version of Easter bread or cakes, but they all share a focus on color, shape and often intricate preparation. These might include unleavened bread, sweet bread, braided bread, sirnica, pinca, vrtanj, pogacha, buktenica, zbornjak, svećenica or any other local pastry. Simpler loaves were often decorated to symbolise prosperity and happiness. Some Easter breads weren’t cut but rather torn or broken. Whatever type of bread or pastry you prepare, you won’t go wrong. The important thing is to make an effort and bring it to be blessed.
Salt – A symbol of purity, friendship and preservation.
After the blessing—usually held in churches on Holy Saturday or Easter morning—the blessed food is shared during Easter breakfast with the family. This meal is not just a festive spread. It is a moment of togetherness, peace and joy, celebrating the resurrection of Christ.
What’s especially heartening is that this tradition is lovingly kept alive even in Croatian communities abroad, including in Australia. There, many Croatian Catholics prepare their Easter baskets with just as much care and devotion. This preserves their heritage and passes it on to younger generations.
In many Croatian parishes, families gather together to attend the festive Mass and the food blessing.
In times when traditions and spiritual values are often overshadowed by the pace of everyday life, the Easter basket remains a powerful reminder of the importance of family, togetherness, and faith. It teaches us that in the simplest of things—a piece of bread, a colored egg, the aroma of ham—we can find what truly matters: gratitude, love and blessing.
More about Easter traditions, customs and celebrations:
https://vjesnik.com.au/2025/04/palm-sunday-passion-sunday/
https://vjesnik.com.au/2025/04/celebrations-of-holy-week/
