The 40 days leading up to Easter, known as Lent or Kwaresma, which starts on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Thursday, is Catholics' time for prayer, fasting, and reflection. Holy Week marks the last week of Lent; this includes Palm Sunday, Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday. It is a time for Catholics to prepare for the Lord's Resurrection at Easter by practicing spiritual self-discipline. Also, the 40 days stand for the time Jesus spent in the desert praying and fighting the devil's temptation. Catholics seek the Lord by praying and reading the Bible, serving by giving alms, and developing self-control by fasting during Lent. It also involves giving up luxury and going through a genuine spiritual life disciplining to better follow Christ's will.
Abstinence from specific foods is a biblical tradition and discipline. When Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, as Good Friday or Mahal na Araw commemorates Christ's Crucifixion, they follow a practice similar to that of Daniel, who went three weeks without eating any delicacies, meat, or wine. On Friday, they only consume fish, which is a representation of Christ. Filipino Catholics follow different food restrictions to reflect God's lessons and sacrifices since, during this season, indulgences like desserts, comfort foods, and alcoholic beverages must be forgone.
Lent Food Rules
Catholics typically consume less food on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Adult Catholics usually stop snacking and limit their daily meals to one main meal and two smaller ones. Catholics aged 14 and older refrain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and every Friday during Lent. These days, they are not allowed to eat lamb, chicken, beef, pork, ham, deer, buffalo, and most other meats are prohibited. However, eggs, dairy, fish, all grains, fruits, and vegetables are still allowed. There are some individuals who are exempt from these meat fasting rules during Lent, including children, the elderly, sick, and pregnant women.
7 Dishes to Try during the Lenten Season
Here is some food that Catholic Filipinos prepare during Holy Week in accordance with these rules:
Ginataang Tilapia
Photo taken from https://www.ajinomoto.com.ph/ajinomoto-static/ginataang-tilapia/index.html
Fish cooked with spinach in coconut milk is this certain Tilapia dish. This Lenten season is one of the easiest dishes you eat you can make, as Tilapia is usually available at any market. It is also one of the most delicious, as adding coconut milk to it automatically improves its flavor. For added crunch, you could opt to fry the Tilapia separately or cook it in the coco milk itself. Tilapia can be replaced with red snapper and mackerel.
Adobong Pusit
Photo taken from https://www.angsarap.net/2014/09/29/adobong-pusit/
Adobong Pusit is another tasty seafood dish that you can have in place of the restricted Adobong manok or baboy. The well-known Adobo cooking technique in the Philippines is used to prepare squid. After being cooked in soy sauce and vinegar, the squid is then cooked with garlic, onions, and tomatoes. This gives the squid an amazing range of tastes from just its sauce, which is sure to excite your taste buds.
Ginisang Ampalaya with Egg
Photo taken from https://www.maggi.ph/recipes/oystar-lumpiang-sariwa/
Contrary to popular belief, Ampalaya does not always taste bitter; in fact, it may taste incredibly flavorful and gratifying with the appropriate preparation. Ginisang Ampalaya, a traditional food made with sauteed bitter melon or bitter gourd, tomato, onions, and beaten eggs, makes use of this distinctive flavor. Of course, you also need to pay attention to how very healthy and nourishing the food is.
Lumpiang Sariwa
Photo taken from https://www.maggi.ph/recipes/oystar-lumpiang-sariwa/
The healthy dish Lumpiang Sariwa or Fresh Lumpia is also perfect for Lent this week. Although the original recipe includes pork, you may make your version for Holy Week celebrations by removing it or other meat ingredients. It still has a lot of vegetables together and a sweet sauce.
Tortang Talong
Photo taken from https://www.australianeggs.org.au/recipes-and-cooking/tortang-talong
A beaten egg may be a wonderful addition to many different dishes. It complements both savory and sweet foods and may be used in everything from baked goods to classic omelets. One of these is the well-known Filipino eggplant omelet or Tortang Talong, a quick and simple meal you may prepare with lent during the Lenten season.
Halabos na Hipon
Photo taken from https://www.angsarap.net/2014/06/25/halabos-na-hipon-2/
Of course, a list of delicious seafood dishes would be complete with shrimp. Not only is Halabos na Hipon tasty, but it's also quite simple to prepare! All you need are shrimp, some water, and a tiny bit of salt. If you want a stronger flavor, you can also add more salt and garlic powder to your dish as it cooks. Instead of only water, you can add a little twist by using drinking soda.
Ginisang Togue
Photo taken from https://authenticfilipinorecipes.com/recipe/ginisang-togue-recipe/
Ginisang Togue is essentially mung bean sprouts that have been sautéed along with carrots, bell peppers, shrimp, tofu, and other vegetables. You may want to consider fasting before preparing this another well-known and nutritious meal from the Philippines during Lent. It is a high amount of fiber, is free of cholesterol, and has a lot of digestive-aiding enzymes. It tastes best when paired with steamed white rice.
Other Activities To Do During the Lenten Season
In addition to fasting from food, there are many other spiritual activities you can do during the Semana Santa, such as dedicating a prayer for those around you, getting to know your fellow Catholics, going to the Catholic church and attending a mass, and participating in Stations of the Cross meditations. Other things include:
- Buying a book of daily reflections.
- Giving up bad habits.
- Committing to fasting from hurtful remarks about others.
- Reconciling with old friends.
- Giving up bad habits that keep you away from Jesus Christ.
