It is
traditional that during the Great Fast (Lent), the faithful fast and abstain
from meat and dairy products as much as possible. To show their joy and gratitude
at the end of this time of fasting, people take to Church baskets of food which
are to be blessed and then consumed on Easter morning to "break-fast".
The traditional Ukrainian Easter morning breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, various
meats, sausages and ham, butter, decorative paska, salt, horseradish, and
cheese is a very special treat. This meal is very much looked forward to, especially
in light of the symbolism of the foods that are consumed. In the Ukrainian tradition, the Easter basket foods
symbolize:
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