Easter falls early this year – get a head start on some delicious seasonal treats

With Easter falling early this year, it’s worth noting the big date on the calendar, and get to stocking the cupboards sooner rather than later. Arriving on March 31st this year, Easter Sunday is upon us more than a week earlier than last year; indeed two more compared to 2022.

The foodie destination that typically tops my own list for seasonal treats is Pirate O’s Gourmet Market – the store’s inventory fluidly changes with the months. Top of the shop for Easter? A glorious collection of European-imported treats.

Sweet treats

Let’s start with the eggs, the ostensible star of the shelves at this time of the year. These are not the diminutive U.S. options you might ordinarily enjoy. Predominantly British in sourcing, the shelves at Pirate O’s are lined with the big Brit boxes. The display greets you front and center as you walk in. Some are as big as footballs, each sporting a popular candy bar theme; all usually are packed with a little extra surprise inside too; a large Cadbury chocolate oval hides smaller creme eggs in one option for example.

Sitting alongside the myriad boxes of eggs, names like Milka, Kinder, Candbury, Riegelein can be found left right, and center. Chocolates from Germany to Belgium – the international roster goes on and on. Here’s a small sampling of those heaving shelves right now, you’re going to need to have an hour-long wander through yourself to see every last item:

Savory treats

On the flipside, the store also works perfectly for furnishing the pantry with items before the gold wrapping is torn open.

Pirate O’s is the only place I’ve seen stock hot cross buns of late, an English specialty baked good that crops up around Easter (traditionally eaten on Good Friday). Those on the shelves at the Draper store hail from good ol’ blighty – and would go well with a generous spread of something from the heaving jellies, preserves, and condiment section.

Speaking of which, you could probably spend a good half hour here alone, this section of the store offering up some interesting ways to glaze that Easter ham this year. From Utah suppliers like Pepperlane through imported specialty items, both regional and International – there’s a lot to work with and surprise guests. Out back there’s also a line of bottled sauces that might lend further inspiration. Pirate O’s own in-house brands include intriguing flavors such as the honey habanero BBQ sauce, or raspberry chipotle sauce – a dash more exciting than the usual brown sugar glaze I’d say.

A special shout out for those plating lamb this year too. By my count, there are no less than five different mint sauce or jelly options on the shelves here. Mint and lamb are a match made in heaven, don’t skip that combo.

Oh, one final must before you saunter off to check out… don’t forget your turkey-sculpted butter as a table centerpiece this year…

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Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC.  I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City  dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.

I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV.   Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.    I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.

Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.