April 29, 2013 Mikel is out of town and I’m being really lazy about everything, though I did make a soup with these lovely, locally foraged greens — wild sorrel, wild garlic (one of several types, this one is all about the delicately-garlic-flavored leaves — the utter opposite of ramps!), and stinging nettles. I simply added them all to rabbit stock and then pureed it, swirling in some of the amazing local yogurt before serving. I’ve eaten it both hot and cold, and with various garnishes such as avocado and croutons. 
Easter is coming really late this year for the Eastern Orthodox religions. This past weekend was Palm Sunday, which is a very special holiday for Bulgarians, many of whom take this entire week off (this coming Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are holidays, as well as the day after Easter). The holiday is celebrated in many songs and customs. The religious significance is of course the day that Christ entered Jerusalem, welcomed with palms and olive branches, but in Bulgaria, Tsvetnitsa-Vrubnitsa is what is celebrated: the name day of all those named for flowers, plants, and trees –Tsvetelina, Lilia, Yavor, Yassen, Roza, Iglika, Violeta, Varban, Latinka, Temenuga, Karamfila, Zdravko, Kamelia, Tzviatko, Margarita, Zjumbjul, Nevena, Temenuzhka, etc. I was going downtown to meet some friends for lunch and, unbeknownst to me, I arrived at the cathedral just as dozens of people dressed in traditional attire were arriving for events celebrating Lazarov Den, the Saturday before Palm Sunday. Later, I caught a glimpse of them marching down one of the major thoroughfares. There were festivals of all sorts going on, featuring organic products and traditional crafts. Bulgarians consider the holiday the festival of fields, meadows, and forests. Tsveti (flowers), Vurbova (willow branches), and bay leaves are part of the rituals. 
Traditionally on Lazarov Den, which originally commemorated the resurrection of St. Lazarus, lazarkite, who are young maidens considered suitable for marriage, arise early in the morning and visit all the houses in the village with flowers and garlands in their hair. They perform dances and sing songs about love, marriage, fertility, and health, to bring blessings upon the families throughout the year. The traditions that have survived are purely pagan, with little relation to Lazarus. Lazarov Den is often the first occasion for a young women to wear the full traditional adult costume of their region. The girls form groups of six to eight, with the most eligible for marriage (well versed in the songs and rituals) being designated the leader or “kumitsa.” Early in the morning of Tsvetnitsa, these young girls who have been “lazarki” go to the nearest river and find a place where the water is calm. Each young girl puts a piece of traditional bread on a piece of willow bark and sets it afloat on the water. The girl whose bark travels farthest becomes the new kumitsa and everyone goes to her house to party. In some villages, boys play a part in some of the rituals.
Food plays an important role in nearly every Bulgarian holiday, and Palm Sunday is no exception, in spite of Lenten restrictions. Bay leaves are often offered by the girls when they make their singing rounds, and the baking of the bread is a festive break from the dull days of Lent. Eggs, often highly decorated, are offered as well. The usual ban on dancing during Lent is also relaxed for these lazaruvane. Only one more week until Easter, which in Bulgarian is simply called Veliken — Great Day. Roast chicken, lamb, or turkey will be accompanied by grains, eggs, rakia, wine, and numerous festive breads — as well as whatever is fresh and local (foraged foods, radishes, lettuce, etc.) . With the holidays so late this year, and with the unseasonably warm weather (85 degrees F for a week now) we’re having, asparagus is making its first appearance.
I had some friends over for dinner on Saturday night and grilled some spears then let them cool and wrapped them in prosciutto for an appetizer. Boy, they disappeared quickly!
More photos are on my Facebook Page.