Photograph of lamb at the beginning stages in the early morning.
Credit: Jordan Masiakos | ©Jordan Masiakos
How to Roast a Whole Lamb on Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday or Any Other Party
Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday was the most festive family gathering as I was growing up in a Greek family in Queens, New York. I remember the anticipation and preparation for the culmination of Easter Sunday dinner. Helping my father and grandfather prepare the open fire pit at our home and erecting a tent covering to protect against the elements. The excitement I had as a young boy to be able to help prepare for such a wonderful event could not be described in words.
The traditional main course for Greek Orthodox Easter dinner was the roasting of a whole lamb. Watching the lamb turn on an open fire pit for hours getting brown and waiting with anticipation at the end of the day when it was removed and prepared for slicing.
Every year for the last 15 years my brother and I have carried on the long tradition by hosting Easter Sunday dinner at our respective homes for our family. This is a tradition that I have instilled in my own children allowing them to help me any way they can so that they can learn and continue the tradition when they grow up and start their own family. It has come to pass that not only do we roast a whole lamb on Easter Sunday, we have done it on Fourth of July, Graduation Parties, New Years Day (yes, in 10 degree weather) or for no reason at all but just to do it.
For those of you who have never experienced such a fantastic and wonderful celebration, read on and you too will learn the steps you should follow to enjoy it as much as I do.
I will not kid you, a lot of work goes into the preparation for this joyous event. It normally takes anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks to prepare for the celebration, depending upon the number of people you expect to host. But at the end it is well worth the time and effort you put into it.
The following are the basic steps you should follow if you wish to take a stab at roasting a whole lamb and what you will need.
The traditional main course for Greek Orthodox Easter dinner was the roasting of a whole lamb. Watching the lamb turn on an open fire pit for hours getting brown and waiting with anticipation at the end of the day when it was removed and prepared for slicing.
Every year for the last 15 years my brother and I have carried on the long tradition by hosting Easter Sunday dinner at our respective homes for our family. This is a tradition that I have instilled in my own children allowing them to help me any way they can so that they can learn and continue the tradition when they grow up and start their own family. It has come to pass that not only do we roast a whole lamb on Easter Sunday, we have done it on Fourth of July, Graduation Parties, New Years Day (yes, in 10 degree weather) or for no reason at all but just to do it.
For those of you who have never experienced such a fantastic and wonderful celebration, read on and you too will learn the steps you should follow to enjoy it as much as I do.
I will not kid you, a lot of work goes into the preparation for this joyous event. It normally takes anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks to prepare for the celebration, depending upon the number of people you expect to host. But at the end it is well worth the time and effort you put into it.
The following are the basic steps you should follow if you wish to take a stab at roasting a whole lamb and what you will need.
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