In the Dominican Republic, Lent has its own traditions, customs, and dishes that appear on the tables at this time of the year. Learn more about this part of our cultural heritage, and enjoy our traditional Dominican Lenten recipes, including desserts and savory dishes.
By - Reviewed: . Original: Mar 27, 2020
A few months ago we wrote a very detailed guide to Dominican Christmas customs (and an ebook), as Christmas is a time of the year that is associated with certain foods and drinks in the Dominican Republic.
The same can be said about Cuaresma (Lent), another important period for Catholics, which is also known for some foods.
Dominican Lenten recipes
Some Dominican dishes, such as habichuelas con dulce, bacalao con papa, and buñuelos de viento, among others, have a strong association with Lent and Holy Week, but in general dishes with cod (or other types of fish) and meatless dishes are preferred during this season.
- Habichuelas con Dulce (Dominican Sweet Beans)
- Bacalao Guisado con Papa (Salt Cod Bacalao Recipe)
- Maiz Caquiao, Chacá or Maíz con Dulce (Hominy and Milk Dessert)
- Buñuelos de Viento (Puffy Fried Balls in Syrup)
- Mala Rabia (Guava and Plantain in Syrup)
- Bacalaitos (Codfish Fritters)
- Buñuelos de Yuca (Cassava 'Beignets' in Spiced Syrup)
- Bacalao con Huevo (Codfish with Egg)
- Ensalada de Bacalao (Chickpea and Bacalao Salad)
- Sopa de Pescado (Traditional Fish Head Soup)
- Berenjena Guisada (Roasted and Stewed Eggplants)
- Helado de Habichuelas con Dulce (Popsicles)
- Pescado al Escabeche or Guisado (Dominican Fish)
- Dulce de Batata or Jalea de Batata (Sweet Potato Pudding)
- Pescado Frito (How to Fry Fish)
- Bacalao con Repollo (Lent Codfish with Cabbage)
Lent and bacalao
Fish was the alternative to meat during these weeks, and bacalao came to take the role of the best-known fish of Lent. Dried, salted codfish could travel anywhere, and last for months, so even people in areas with no fishing could consume bacalao salado (salted codfish)[3].
It is no coincidence that most of the Hispanic world shares similar dishes for the Lenten season adapted to the local availability of ingredients. Here the best-known Lenten codfish dish is bacalao con papas (codfish with potato).
Lenten season desserts
When it comes to desserts, buñuelos de viento can be traced back to the Spanish Lenten culinary traditions [3], but we have our own local creations, most notably, the king of the Dominican Lenten dishes: habichuelas con dulce. Aunt Ilana wrote a phenomenal article about its possible origins. Another possible origin is the Italian facioli dolce, but as Juan B. Nina in his Origen de la Cocina Dominicana admits [4], there seems to be no way to connect the two together.
In some regions of the country, chacá (as is known in the south, or maíz caquiao in the north) is a corn and milk dessert that is also traditionally made this time of the year.
What is Lent?
Lent is the 40-day period -- beginning on Ash Wednesday -- that comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. It culminates with Holy Week (Semana Santa).
The word Lenten comes from the Middle English word for "spring" [1]. In Spanish, the same period is called "Cuaresma".
"The Christian churches that observe Lent in the 21st century (and not all do significantly) use it as a time for prayer and penance. Only a small number of people today fast for the whole of Lent, although some maintain the practice on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. It is more common these days for believers to quit a particular vice or indulgence, such as favourite foods or smoking."
Source [2]
To understand why some foods have become associated with the Lenten period, it is important to understand that Lent is considered a period of restraint, sobriety, fasting, and sacrifice for Catholics. Although most restrictions have been lifted or eased in modern times, this meant that Catholics were then expected to fast, forego eating meat, and any carnal pleasures during this period.
Dominican Holy Week (Semana Santa) and Easter
During Holy Week, Dominican Children go on School break, and Dominican employees are on holiday starting from noon Thursday to the following Monday. Most Dominicans travel to their hometowns or go on holiday (beaches and mountains).
The same dishes that are served during Lent are also served during Semana Santa.
Easter (Pascua) follows Semana Santa in the Catholic calendar. Dominicans do not have any special dishes or traditions for Easter.
Is there a recipe we didn't mention, but which is a Lenten or Easter tradition in your family? Please tell us in the comments!
References
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