Istrian pinca under the baking lid
This was one of the few sweet dishes at the modest Easter table in many households. Women used to knead this sweet bread with raisins the day before in order to make the dough reach the desired size, and it was baked in large bread ovens. Unlike bread, the sugar, eggs and obligatory raisins are added to the pinca dough. At the end, the top of the bread is cut into the shape of a cross and decorated with olive leaves.
However, it is not just the pinca that is an unmissable part of the Easter tradition in Istria. Jajarice were also baked on this day for children. These are braided buns onto which a boiled egg is added to the top. Children were always especially excited about this gift, which they would receive with a painted egg given to them for Easter lunch by every member of the family.
