Which countries eat Lenten foods during Lent and or Easter?

During this time, many Christians abstain from eating meat and instead focus on consuming simple and humble foods as a form of penance and reflection. Here are a few countries where Lenten foods are commonly eaten:

1. Italy:

- In Italy, Lent is known as "Quaresima" and is observed with great devotion. Traditional Lenten foods include fish, especially cod (baccalà), and other seafood dishes, such as pasta with sardines (pasta con le sarde) or fried calamari.

- Meatless soups and stews, like pasta e fagioli (pasta and beans) or minestrone, are also popular.

- Additionally, special pastries, such as the Zeppole di San Giuseppe, are enjoyed on Saint Joseph's Day, which falls during Lent.

2. Spain:

- In Spain, Lent is known as "Cuaresma" and is marked by various religious processions and traditions.

- Cod (bacalao) is a prominent Lenten food, often prepared in dishes like bacalao al pil pil (cod cooked in garlic and olive oil) or bacalao con tomate (cod in tomato sauce).

- Other common dishes include potajes (stews made with legumes), spinach and chickpea stews, and torrijas (fried bread soaked in milk and coated in sugar).

3. Poland:

- Lent is known as "Wielki Post" in Poland and is observed with strict fasting and abstinence from meat on certain days.

- Traditional Lenten dishes include żurek (a sour rye soup) served with boiled potatoes and a hard-boiled egg, as well as fish dishes, such as fried carp (karp smażony) or herring (śledzie).

- Additionally, sweet dishes like kutia (a grain porridge with dried fruits and honey) are enjoyed during Lent.

4. Philippines:

- The Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, observes Lent with various religious practices and culinary traditions.

- Meatless dishes, known as "ulam na gulay," are commonly consumed, featuring vegetables, legumes, and fish.

- Popular Lenten dishes include pinakbet (a vegetable stew), mung bean soup (monggo soup), and pancit (noodles stir-fried with vegetables).

- Additionally, special pastries like bibingka (a rice cake) and puto (steamed rice cakes) are enjoyed during Lent.

5. Mexico:

- In Mexico, Lent is known as "Cuaresma" and is observed with religious processions and special food traditions.

- Fish, especially tilapia (mojarra) and shrimp (camarones), are widely consumed during Lent.

- Other common Lenten dishes include capirotada (a bread pudding with fruits and cheese), tortitas de camarón (shrimp cakes), and chiles rellenos (stuffed poblano peppers).