Skip to Content
Features

A Butter-less Colomba from an EVOO Estate in Bologna

An award-winning extra virgin olive oil producer from Bologna has reimagined the Colomba for Easter sans butter.

Pastry Chef Gino Fabbri; "Adopt an Olive Tree" gift box.

Pastry Chef Gino Fabbri; “Adopt an Olive Tree” gift box.

This Easter, Palazzo di Varignana, celebrated for its award-winning extra-virgin olive oil from the Bolognese hills, is bringing a new creation to the U.S. for the first time: not just any Colomba, but an original Easter Sweet ("Dolce di Pasqua") that reimagines tradition.

In a bold culinary move, this creation completely replaces butter with Palazza di Varignana's own monocultivar extra virgin olive oil. This Extra Virgin Olive Oil Colomba not only achieves a lighter, more sumptuous texture but, contrary to expectations, enhances its softness even further. This exceptional pastry is the result of a collaboration with Gino Fabbri, a maestro of Italian pastry from Bologna.

Infused with Vargnano Monocultivar Nostrana di Brisighella olive oil, known for its bold aroma and character, the dough gains a delicate, airy quality. The oil's aromatic and fruity notes, alongside vanilla and candied orange, enhance the flavors. Nutrient-rich with Vitamin E and polyphenols, it's topped with crunchy almonds and sugar crystals, making it a sensory delight.

An adopted olive tree at Palazzo di Varignana.
An adopted olive tree at Palazzo di Varignana.

The Palazzo di Varignana also offers a gift marrying the tradition of Easter to a commitment to the future and care for the earth. Their Adopt-an-Olive-Tree Gift Box not only promises a 3-liter tube of extra virgin olive oil but also extends a 10% discount on new oils for five years, a personalized tag with the olive tree's name, and the “Varignana Passport,” an adoption-confirmation certificate that allows the adopter to follow the progress of their very own olive tree and monitor the oil that it produces. 

We at Appetito, having visited the property several times, attest to the quality of the products and the beauty of the estate.

The rolling hills on the property of Palazzo di Varignana.
The rolling hills on the property of Palazzo di Varignana.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Appetito

Chef Domingo Schingaro of Due Camini in Puglia

Chef Domingo Schingaro of Due Camini shares his approach to seasonal cooking in Puglia.

March 20, 2026

Pappa al Pomodoro Recipe from Danimade Kitchen

A rustic Tuscan tomato and bread stew that transforms simple ingredients into something deeply flavorful.

March 20, 2026

Make St. Joseph’s Day Pasta the Brooklyn Roots Way

Chef Thomas Perone of Brooklyn Roots shares his recipe for St. Joseph's Day Pasta featuring marinated fish and robust aromatics.

March 19, 2026

Old School and Modern: Eating Italian in Los Angeles

A historic Beverly Hills red sauce institution with Sinatra-era roots offers a rare glimpse into old school Italian dining in Los Angeles, balanced by the city’s modern Italian evolution.

March 19, 2026

Gudrun Cuillo: The Woman Who Revived a Tuscan Hamlet and Winery

Twenty-one questions with Gudrun Cuillo, owner of Casalvento and Livernano in Chianti Classico.

March 19, 2026

Domenica Marchetti on Her New Cookbook: Italian Cookies

Italian cookbook author Domenica Marchetti shares the details of her forthcoming title dedicated to Italian cookies.

March 18, 2026
See all posts