By Lily Rothman
The traditional American Easter menu as we know it today revolves solidly around lamb, with its ritual references to Jesus Christ and the springtime season. These historic restaurant menus are just one more piece of evidence that the ritual is nothing new. Spring lamb appears on turn-of-the-century bills of fare, too.
But at the same time, there’s a lot more going on back then. These menus are also full of odder dishes, like Deerfoot sausage, pickled pig feet and green sea turtle.
These menus are from the vast collection digitized by the New York Public Library—the same source of the amazing Thanksgiving menus we revisited last fall.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year
- Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Write to Lily Rothman at lily.rothman@time.com