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Even if you happen to’re properly acquainted with Spanish delicacies, there’s likelihood you’ve but to come across a few of the beloved Easter meals in Spain! I attempt to immerse myself within the native fare each time I go to, however I used to be uncovered to a different world of culinary delight once I arrived throughout ‘Semana Santa,’ in any other case often called Holy Week.

My Madrid meals excursions offers you nice insights into regional flavors and components, however with Easter bookings to Spain growing this 12 months, I felt it was the precise time to place collectively this information to Semana Santa meals!

The Function of Meals in Semana Santa

Though Spain continues to be a predominantly Catholic nation, the church’s affect on society has dwindled through the years. But, the cultural and gastronomic traditions related to Holy Week proceed to face the take a look at of time.

Meals-focused gatherings and shared eating experiences are very a lot hallmarks of Spanish tradition, however they’re extra vital than ever throughout occasions of celebration. 

Candy treats function closely within the culinary scene all through Lent. Nevertheless, many conventional Spanish Easter desserts are reserved for Semana Santa, the ultimate week of the 40-day Lenten interval. 

Moreover, many individuals abstain from meat to commemorate the fasting and struggling of Jesus, which means that Easter soups and stews are usually vegetable or fish-based.

Prime Conventional Spanish Easter Meals

Potaje de Vigilia

In case you strive only one Easter meals in Spain, make it potaje de vigilia. This nourishing stew is created from cod, chickpeas, and boiled eggs and is a Semana Santa staple nationwide.

The precise birthplace of potaje de vigilia is unclear, but it surely possible happened as Spaniards tried to veer away from meat-based dishes throughout Lent. Cafe del Kasco in Toledo, not removed from Madrid, is a incredible place to strive it.

Torrijas

Torrijas was the Easter dessert I used to be most wanting to pattern, because it’s basically a Spanish tackle French toast! Typically, the bread is soaked in wine, but it surely’s often dipped in milk and egg earlier than getting fried in olive oil and dusted with cinnamon.

These Andalusian goodies happened within the medieval period when locals tried to make use of up stale bread, and the staff at Aparicio in Malaga put together some significantly tasty varieties.

Carolyn, our operations supervisor in Madrid says:

“Rising up, I might assist my mom and grandmother make Torrijas each Easter. It began as a easy custom the place I might be accountable for coating them in sugar, however through the years I’ve refined the recipe, including my very own twist – serving them heat with a scoop of ice cream for an additional indulgent contact!”

Hornazo

Hornazo is a meat-lover dream, as this satisfying pie is usually stuffed with pork loin, chorizo, and boiled eggs. Whereas candy alternate options exist, the savory model is essentially the most famend of the 2.

The dish traces its roots to Salamanca within the Castile and León area. Prior to now, hornazo was loved as a celebratory snack throughout Lunes de Aguas, on the primary Monday after Lent. If you end up within the metropolis, you must take a look at the products at Pastelería La Hornazería.

Mona de Pascua

There tends to be various symbolism in Easter meals in Spain, and among the finest examples of that is Mona de Pascua. This spherical brioche cake is an Easter Sunday and Monday specialty, often topped with boiled eggs to symbolize new life.

Catalonia is synonymous with this pleasant dessert and Lyndsy, our Barcelona meals tour information says, 

“Courting again to the fifteenth century, this Easter deal with has nothing to do with monkeys (Monos) and the whole lot to do with all of the candy components catholics cannot eat throughout the month of Lent. They might save the eggs to make a candy spherical cake with a gap within the center symbolizing rebirth. Historically they adorn it with hard-boiled eggs to eat on Easter Sunday and finish the Lent season, welcoming Spring.

“The Godparents of a kid are supposed to give a Mona to their godchild to finish their gastronomic fasting. Bakeries show elaborately embellished Monas lined in chocolate eggs, chicks and bunnies to rejoice Spring. In case your mona features a hardboiled egg within the center, it’s fairly conventional to ‘crack’ them on the brow of your loved ones members or mates… ideally unexpectedly!”

These of you planning to spend Easter in Barcelona will love the styles of this cake at Escribà.

Sopa de Ajo

Easter meals in Spain isn’t simply concerning the candy stuff, and sopa de ajo proves that the Spanish are simply as proficient at getting ready savory choices. It’s a easy garlic soup created from hen broth, paprika, and off bread, and in some circumstances, eggs or ham are added.

Regardless of beginning out as a peasant dish, sopa de ajo later grew to become an Easter favourite in Madrid and Castile and León. I sampled it for the primary time in Sobrino de Botín and couldn’t suggest it sufficient!

Bueñelos

Bueñelos are Spanish-style fritters. Flour, butter, eggs, and milk are mixed to kind a lightweight dough that’s then fried and typically stuffed with a saccharine filling of cream, chocolate, or custard.

They happened because of Moorish influences in Andalusia, and I managed to safe some at Bellas Durmientes in Malaga.

Regional Easter Meals Highlights

Some Easter meals in Spain are favorites in virtually each nook of the nation, whereas others are significantly fashionable in particular areas.

Beneath are some regional Easter specialties to look out for, relying on which a part of Spain you end up in.

Madrid/Castile and León: Sopas de ajo, bartolillos, hornazo

Catalonia: Mona de Pascua, escudella i carn d’olla

Valencia: Bacalao, panquemao

Andalusia: Torrijas, bueñelos

Basque Nation: Bacalao al pil pil, pastel vasco

Conclusion

There’s by no means a nasty time to go to Spain, because the meals is outstanding irrespective of while you arrive! That stated, sampling the Easter meals in Spain is particularly thrilling, permitting you to expertise luxurious fare that’s virtually unattainable to seek out all through the remainder of the 12 months.

Sources

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Madrid meals excursions & culinary experiences. https://www.eatingeurope.com/madrid/

Cash Tourism. (2024, April 5). 16.8% improve in Easter 2025 bookings – Spain and Portugal within the prime positions. https://money-tourism.gr/en/16-8-increase-in-easter-2025-bookings-spain-and-portugal-in-the-top-positions/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Cafe Del Kasco, Toledo. https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187489-d4039151-Critiques-Cafe_Del_Kasco-Toledo_Province_of_Toledo_Castile_La_Mancha.html

Fb. (n.d.). Confitería Aparicio. https://www.fb.com/p/ConfiterpercentC3percentADa-Aparicio-100059128663902/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Escribà, Barcelona. https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d2314979-Critiques-Escriba-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Botín. (n.d.). Sobrino de Botín – The oldest restaurant on the planet. https://botin.es/en/

bellasdurmientes_cafeteria. (n.d.). [Profile]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/bellasdurmientes_cafeteria/?hl=en