The coming Easter season marks a fresh start as communities move beyond the pandemic era this year. Across most of Spain, celebrations are returning to their full color after two years of restrictions. Yet with these festivities, traditional customs resurface, including the beloved Easter gastronomy that Covid could not dim.
As Easter observations unfold, the moment arrives to consult the old history books and savor the lineup of meatless dishes that share one simple link: no meat. Paradoxically, the Christian spirit of atonement coexists with culinary delight in these timeless recipes.
The Most Classic Easter Dishes
These are the ten essential Easter preparations:
Torrijas
Contents
- Bread
- Milk
- Lemon zest
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Olive oil
Preparation
Thin slices of bread are cut, aiming for a light crust that won’t fall apart when soaked. They should not be so thin that they crumble, nor so thick that bites become excessive.
Torrijas are an irresistible Easter dessert. Heat milk with sugar, a cinnamon stick, and a touch of lemon zest until it boils. Remove from heat, cover, and let cool. Once cooled, soak the bread slices until thoroughly saturated, especially if the bread is a day or two old.
Beat eggs while heating oil to a high temperature. Dip the soaked bread slices in the eggs and fry on both sides until golden. Drain on kitchen paper, then dust with sugar and cinnamon for a fragrant finish.
Cod Fritters
Contents
- 300 grams desalted cod flakes
- Parsley
- Onions or scallions
- 3 eggs
- 150 grams flour
- 10 grams baking powder
- Salt
- Olive oil
- Water
Preparation
If flaking the cod, ensure there are no bones. Finely chop the onion or scallions and set aside. Sift flour into a bowl and whisk in the baking powder. Add eggs and beat until a smooth batter forms.
Fold in the cod, onion, and finely chopped parsley. Let the mixture rest for about 15 minutes. Heat plenty of oil in a deep pan and fry the fritters in small batches, keeping the oil at a steady temperature so they cook evenly. Use spoons to shape the fritters and aim for a golden color on both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper to remove excess oil before serving.
In addition to these, several other traditional Easter dishes appear on the table:
Night-Shift Stew
With meatless chickpeas, cod, spinach, and hard-boiled eggs, this hearty stew provides essential protein while staying faithful to the season.
Garlic Soup
A classic and simple spoon dish that is healthy and nourishing. Bread, eggs, garlic, paprika, olive oil, and water are blended to create this comforting recipe.
Potato Illuminations
A straightforward yet delicious preparation where the key lies in achieving the perfect potato texture. Onions, garlic, paprika, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper complete the dish, linking it closely to holiday flavors.
Ajoarriero with Cod
Cod is a perennial Easter favorite. The traditional sauce, featuring vegetables, tomatoes, garlic, and peppers, offers a quintessential holiday option.
Shrimp Pie
A Cádiz specialty that has gained nationwide popularity. The dish blends shrimp with water, salt, chickpea flour, onions, and parsley for a distinctive coastal taste.
Easter Monas
Desserts are a major part of the Easter repertoire. Beyond torrijas, monas de Pascua stand as another star treat on the table.
Fried Milk
Although a year-round favorite, fried milk makes a strong appearance during Easter festivities as well.
Pestinos
The dessert lineup is long and diverse. Pestinos, usually made with flour, olive oil, white wine, anise, and lemon peel, are a popular choice though some versions include lard.
These dishes reflect the rich culinary heritage that accompanies Easter celebrations—combining simple ingredients with bold flavors to create memorable meals for family and friends.