Heirloom Meals: Savoring Yesterday's Traditions Today

Italian Easter Pie




I had great fun as usual with Dan Bazile at Newschannel13, Albany NY's NBC affiliate. I shared my family's traditional Italian Easter Pie.

And for me, Easter is not Easter without this classic Italian cheesecake aka Easter Pie.  Made with a sweet pastry dough, this pie takes me back to the childhood table.  The hints of lemon zest and candied orange peel are the flavors that pop, but its the conbination of ricotta, raisins, pine nuts and aborio rice that give it a rich texture.  You don't need to wait for Easter to make this simple and delicious pie but it is a staple at all our Easter celebrations.