Why is capirotada eaten during Lent?

Read in EnglishBeloved by many, hated by others. It doesn't matter whether you are a fan or not of capirotada; its fundamental role in Lent gastronomy is undeniable. Although today there are many versions of this traditional recipe, the base of all is the same: layers of bread soaked in a kind of syrup, accompanied by nuts or some other type of sweet ingredient. We invite you to learn more about the history of this typical dessert to understand why every year your mom prepares capirotada at this time.Its European OriginsCapirotada as we know it today is very different from the first versions that were cooked. It is believed that the first antecedent of capirotada dates back to the time of the Romans, with a small difference: it was a savory dish. The pieces of bread were soaked in vinegar water, and between the layers, cucumbers, chicken entrails, cheese, and capers were added. Later, the Spaniards integrated a similar dish into their cuisine called almondrote. For its preparation, it was necessary to soak the bread in some kind of meat broth and place pieces of meat between the layers.The Introduction to AmericaWith the arrival of the Spaniards in America, the gastronomy of the New World was enriched thanks to the ingredients and recipes that the Europeans introduced. One of the dishes that was incorporated into national gastronomy was capirotada in its two versions (French, which includes meat, and the classic, which is only bread). Some people believe that the preparation of capirotada without meat became popular due to the scarcity of certain foods, while others think that the more recent version responds more to the religious symbolism of the ingredients. The use of stale bread alludes to the austerity typical of Lent, the piloncillo syrup to the blood of Christ, the cheese to the shroud that covered his body, etc.Capirotada TodayUnfortunately, capirotada is a dish that has lost much presence in recent years. While in the 60s it was easy to find it in restaurants and diners, today it is practically impossible to enjoy this dessert during Lent. The passage of years has also influenced the preparation of capirotada. Nowadays, there are many versions according to the region of the country. Sprinkles, bananas, peanuts, and raisins are some of the ingredients that may be present in this dessert.Tell us, how do you prepare capirotada at your home?If you still don't know how to prepare it, we share some recipes for you to enjoy it this Lent:Three Milk CapirotadaCapirotada for LentEasy CapirotadaCapirotada with Amaranth