Each year as Easter approaches, the bakery team at Touch of Italy returns to one of its most cherished seasonal traditions: crafting authentic Pizza Rustica, the classic Italian Easter pie that has symbolized celebration, family, and renewal for generations. 🍞🌷🇮🇹
Now through March 29, guests can call any Touch of Italy location in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, or Ocean City to reserve their Pizza Rustica and select a convenient pickup date. Orders will be available for pickup April 1 through April 5 during regular business hours, and guests should plan to pick up their pies at the same location where the order was placed.
For many local families, this annual offering has become as much a sign of the season as blooming daffodils or preparing Easter dinner itself.
A Tradition Rooted in Centuries of Italian Heritage
Pizza Rustica—sometimes called Pizza Gain, Pizza Chiena, or Italian Easter Pie—dates back hundreds of years to Southern Italy, especially regions like Campania, Lazio, and Abruzzo. Historically prepared at the end of Lent, it marked the joyful return of rich ingredients that had been set aside during the fasting season.
Families would gather to prepare the pie together, filling a sturdy pastry crust with ricotta, eggs, cured meats, and cheeses. These ingredients weren’t just flavorful—they were symbolic. Eggs represented rebirth, cured meats celebrated abundance, and cheeses reflected the prosperity of springtime after winter’s restraint.
In many households, the recipe itself became a family heirloom, passed down through generations and carefully guarded, with each region—and each grandmother—adding her own signature touch.
A Labor of Love from the Bakery Each Season
At Touch of Italy, Pizza Rustica is produced in the same spirit that has sustained the tradition for centuries: slowly, carefully, and by hand. Each pie reflects the craftsmanship of the bakery team, whose work supplies the restaurants with house-made mozzarella, sauces, desserts, and specialty seasonal items throughout the year.
The result is a hearty, celebratory pie meant to be shared—perfect for Easter brunch tables, holiday gatherings, or simply continuing a family tradition at home.
How to Order Your Pizza Rustica
Guests can now reserve their Pizza Rustica by calling any Touch of Italy location through March 29 and selecting their preferred pickup day. Choose your location to get your Pizza Rustica at touchofitaly.com
Pickup Dates: April 1 – April 5 Pickup Time: During regular business hours Pickup Location: The same location where the order was placed
Because Pizza Rustica is made in limited seasonal batches each year, early ordering is encouraged.
For many families across Delmarva, Easter simply wouldn’t feel complete without it—and Touch of Italy is proud to continue bringing this time-honored Italian tradition to the table each spring.
