Traditional Easter food in Spain

Semana Santa is upon us again and the Easter holidays are a very important festival in Spain, celebrated this year from 24th-31st March 2024. Spain's traditional sombre parades that fill the streets during Semana Santa are getting ready to take centre stage, but if you want to avoid the crowds, why not head to a traditional Spanish coffee shop to try some of the typical food on offer at Easter in Spain. And if you can't make it to Spain this Easter 2024, you can always have a go at making some traditional Spanish Easter recipes at home!

These are our recommendations of the top Semana Santa food in Spain, including Spanish pastries and desserts that are traditional at Easter time to get your mouth watering.

What foods are eaten during Holy Week in Spain?

During Holy Week, or Semana Santa, in Spain, there are several traditional foods that are commonly consumed. These foods often reflect the Lenten fasting period leading up to Easter Sunday. Here are some typical foods eaten during Holy Week in Spain:

Torrijas

Torrijas Flickr

Of all the traditional Spanish Easter food, torrijas are definitely the most popular. They consist of thick slices of white bread that have been soaked in milk, then coated with egg before being fried in olive oil and served with a coating of sugar or cinnamon. It’s very common to find torrijas in pretty much all cafés, bars and restaurants all over Spain at this time of year and they are equally easy to make at home, a little bit like Spanish French toast.

Roscos fritos

Roscos fritos Flickr

Roscos, also known in some areas of Spain as rosquillas, are kind of like doughnuts which are fried in oil, and each region of Spain has its own version. They are often flavoured with anise or lemon and dusted with sugar.

Panquemado

Also known as panquemao, which literally translates as ‘burnt bread’, this traditional Spanish Easter food is from the region of Valencia. The idea of burnt bread may not sound very appetising at first, but once you see and smell this wonderful sugary treat, you won’t be able to resist it.

Buñuelos de viento

Buñuelos de viento Wikimedia commons

Buñuelos are sweet balls of dough that are eaten throughout the year in Spain, although they are most traditional at Easter, as well as around Halloween. They are often filled with cream, and the best way to enjoy this Semana Santa delicacy is with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. There is also a savoury version in some parts of Spain made with cod which is also traditionally eaten at this time of year.

Potaje de Vigilia

This is a traditional Lenten dish, commonly consumed during Holy Week. It's a hearty stew made with chickpeas, spinach, codfish, and other vegetables. It's a nutritious and filling dish traditionally eaten on days of abstinence, such as Good Friday.

Pestiños

Pestiños Wikimedia commons

This traditional Spanish Easter food is a sweet pastry that is a typical treat in the region of Andalusia at Easter. Pestiños are shaped like folded squares and often contain a touch of sherry and aniseed for a rich and unique flavour. Traditionally in small Andalusian villages, the entire population of the town would actually come together and work in teams to make pestiños together, an Easter food tradition that truly captures community spirit that is so strong in Spain.

Gañotes de Ubrique

Another Spanish Easter recipe involves somewhat of a unique dessert; the curious-looking and funny-sounding Gañotes de Ubrique. Also of Andalusian origin, specifically the province of Cadiz, this sweet treat looks a little bit like a turkey twizzler at first sight but is actually deliciously sweet inside. The town of Ubrique also traditionally hosts its own annual gañote competition in honour of this traditional local recipe.

Mona de Pascua

Mona de Pascua Wikimedia commons

If you’re thinking of cooking a meal to celebrate Easter in Spain with family in 2024, another simple Easter food idea for your table is the Mona de Pascua. In some regions, especially in Catalonia, this traditional Easter cake called Mona de Pascua is prepared and is similar to the roscón that Spanish people love to eat to celebrate the arrival of the 3 Kings at Christmas time. The simple ingredients that you need are flour, sugar, eggs and a raising agent, usually baking powder or dried yeast. The thing that sets this dessert apart is the symbolic hard boiled eggs that are baked into the centre for decoration.

Borrachuelo malagueño

The name of this Spanish pastry comes from the word ‘drunk’ in Spanish, owing to the fact that each pastry is soaked in wine before being fried in oil and given a generous dusting of sugar. This dessert is typical in the southern province of Malaga, and can usually be found in the shop windows of almost every good bakery in the city.

Bacalao (Salt Cod)

Bacalao is a staple during Lent and Holy Week in Spain. It's often prepared in various ways, such as being battered and fried, served with garlic sauce (Bacalao al Pil Pil), or cooked with tomatoes and peppers (Bacalao a la Vizcaína).

Do they have Easter eggs in Spain?

Merve Sehirli Nasir on Unsplash

Easter eggs are also part of the Easter traditions in Spain, although they may not be as prevalent as in some other countries like the United States or the United Kingdom. Known in Spanish as huevos de Pascua or huevos de chocolate, they are sometimes given to children as gifts at Easter and often have a small gift inside, just like in many other countries. 

What is a traditional Spanish Easter meal?

What do the Spanish eat at Easter? A traditional Spanish Easter meal can vary depending on the region and family customs, but here's a typical menu that might be served:

1. Appetisers: The meal may start with a variety of appetisers such as olives, cheese, cured meats like Jamón Ibérico, and seafood dishes like shrimp or octopus.
2. Soup or Salad: Some families might serve a light soup or salad course. For example, a simple green salad with tomatoes, onions, and olives dressed with olive oil and vinegar, or a chilled gazpacho soup, especially if Easter falls during warmer months.
3. Main Course: The main course often features roasted meat, with lamb being a popular choice symbolizing the sacrificial lamb in Christian tradition. Roast lamb seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and other herbs is a classic Easter dish. Bacalao (salt cod) is also commonly served, prepared in various ways such as fried or cooked in a tomato sauce.
4. Side Dishes: Accompanying the main course, you might find side dishes such as roasted potatoes, sautéed vegetables like asparagus or green beans, or a traditional Lenten dish like Potaje de Vigilia, a hearty stew made with chickpeas, codfish, and vegetables.
5. Bread: Bread is an essential part of Spanish cuisine, and a variety of bread may be served alongside the meal, such as crusty baguettes or traditional Spanish bread rolls.
6. Desserts: For dessert, you will often find the traditional Easter sweets mentioned above, like Torrijas or Rosquillas de Semana Santa, ring-shaped cakes dusted with sugar. Mona de Pascua, this sweet bread or cake decorated with hard-boiled eggs, may also be served.
7. Wine: Wine is often enjoyed with the meal, with Spanish reds and whites being popular choices. Some regions may have specific wines that pair well with Easter dishes.

It's important to note that the specific dishes served for Easter can vary greatly depending on regional traditions, family preferences, and personal tastes. However, these are some common elements you might find in a traditional Spanish Easter meal.

Why is meat generally avoided during Holy Week in Spain?

The avoidance of meat during Holy Week, particularly on certain days like Good Friday, is rooted in religious tradition and observance. In the Catholic Church, Holy Week is a solemn period of reflection and preparation leading up to Easter Sunday, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The tradition of abstaining from meat during Lent, which includes Holy Week, is based on the idea of penance and sacrifice. It is seen as a way for believers to participate in Christ's suffering and to reflect on the sacrifices he made for humanity. By abstaining from meat, which was traditionally considered a luxury or indulgence, believers demonstrate their willingness to make sacrifices and show devotion to their faith.