An elegant and refined dessert for Women's Day: the Pavlova

March 8th marks International Women’s Day, an occasion to celebrate the social, economic, political, and cultural achievements of women, while also reflecting on the gender inequalities that still exist today.  

If you’re looking for a wonderful dessert idea to serve on this special day, we recommend the recipe from our Cesarina Ita from Castelvetrano. She has created an elegant, refined, and visually stunning dessert that can also be used as a unique gift idea: the Pavlova!  

“This recipe originates from my uncle’s family returning to Sicily from Australia. He was the one who made me fall in love with this classic dessert from overseas. I’m presenting it to you in a Sicilian version with the addition of citrus fruits and other produce typical of my area”.

The Pavlova: a stunning yet simple dessert

The Pavlova is a beautiful cake made with a meringue base, filled with creamy whipped cream, and topped with fresh fruit. The contrast between the crispness of the meringue, the soft sweetness of the cream, and the slightly tangy note of the fruit makes this dessert simply irresistible.  

Although its name might suggest Russian origins, its roots can be traced to Australia and New Zealand, two countries that have long claimed its creation. The Russian connection lies with the ballerina Anna Pavlova, to whom the dessert is dedicated. In the early 1900s, she toured these countries with great success, and the cake’s white, delicate form is said to resemble the lightness and grace of a ballerina’s tutu.  

The Pavlova is a majestic dessert, making it ideal for special occasions. At the same time, it’s simple to prepare, which means you can easily make it for a casual Sunday lunch or an evening gathering with friends.

The origins of International Women’s Day  

The celebration dates back to the early 20th century, a period when the feminist movement was beginning to take shape. One of the first commemorations took place in 1909 in the United States, when the Socialist Party organized a day dedicated to the rights of working women. However, the event often associated with the origin of the celebration is the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York in 1911, where many workers, mostly immigrant women, lost their lives. This incident brought public attention to the terrible working conditions these women faced and the urgent need for reforms. 

In 1910, during the International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen, the idea of an international day to promote women’s rights and universal suffrage was proposed. In the following years, the date became consolidated around March 8, following women’s demonstrations in various European countries, demanding peace, equality, and rights.  

Women’s Day is not only a time to celebrate but also an occasion to continue fighting for a fairer society, as despite the progress made, gender disparities and injustices remain a sad reality in many parts of the world.