I present to you the Favara-style Easter lamb I made under the direction of Annalisa Pompeo of GoSicily. Sicilian Cooking Experience during our Stirring Sicily hands-on cooking experience last September. The lamb is one of the most prominent symbols of Easter. In Christianity, it symbolizes purity and sacrifice – two qualities associated with Jesus Christ. The citizens of Favara, Sicily (near Agrigento), where Annalisa grew up, are renowned for the tradition of creating beautifully decorated marzipan lambs with pistachio.
The basic form of the lamb is created using a mold. Then, as you can see here, I decorated the pastry according to my inspiration. An important characteristic for each lamb to possess is the red flag, a symbol of victory over death. The contrast between the sweet almond paste and the naturally salty pastachio paste make this treat extraordinary.
This year we will be learning some traditional Christmas recipes during Stirring Sicily East, September 7-14, 2017. Contact me at AllisonScola@ExperienceSicily.com to join us! Mention the word “lamb” to qualify for a discount off your trip!
