What Filipinos Eat During Holy Week
Holy Week is a time of reflection, prayer, and tradition for many Filipino families. Along with attending church services and religious activities, many observe fasting and abstain from eating meat. To keep the spirit of the season, delicious yet simple meatless meals are often prepared. Here are 10 traditional Filipino foods commonly enjoyed during Holy Week that are both meaningful and satisfying.
Pancit (Pancit Bihon or Pancit Malabon)
A popular noodle dish often served during gatherings. While meat is commonly added, during Holy Week, people prepare meatless versions using vegetables or seafood as substitutes.
Kakanin
Various types of kakanin, such as suman, bibingka, and puto, are prepared for Holy Week. These sticky rice-based treats are often served as snacks or desserts during family gatherings or church events.
Ginataang Monggo
This hearty dish made of mung beans, coconut milk, and sometimes vegetables or seafood is a popular Lenten food because it is both filling and meatless.
Laing
Made from dried taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, this dish is often served with rice and is popular during the Lenten season since it is meatless.
Pinakbet
A vegetable dish from the Ilocos region, pinakbet is made with a mix of vegetables such as bitter melon, squash, and eggplant. During Holy Week, it is usually cooked without pork or shrimp.
Adobong Kangkong
A vegetable version of the classic adobo dish, this version uses water spinach (kangkong) instead of meat, making it suitable for Lenten observances.
Sinigang na Baboy
Although pork is traditionally used, during Lent, some Filipinos prepare sinigang with fish or shrimp instead of meat, ensuring the dish remains in line with meatless fasting practices.
Puto
Puto is a steamed rice cake often served as a snack or dessert during Holy Week. It is simple, fluffy, and commonly enjoyed after meals or during religious observances.
Buko Salad
A refreshing dessert made from young coconut, fruits, and sweetened cream. It’s a popular dish during family meals or gatherings, especially during the long Holy Week holidays.
Bopis
While traditionally made with pork or beef lungs, bopis can be adapted for the Lenten season by preparing a meatless version, typically using vegetables or tofu as the main ingredients.
Related Post: Holy Week Traditions in the Philippines that Many People Practice — LIST