Many people from across the globe observe Lent, says an article from The Spruce Eats. Lent is a religious season that leads to the celebration of Easter. In the observation of lent, many people consume less red meat. These people often shift their regular diets to a vegetarian or pescatarian one. There is a huge variety of Mexican dishes ideal for Lent.

Here are some delicious Mexican dishes for Lent:

Empanada

Empanada is a popular Latin American dish. They are normally made with meat fillings. However, they are made meatless on Lent and the Holy Week season. These meatless empanadas are called empanadas de vigilia (vigil empanadas). 

The empanadas vigilia is made similarly to the regular empanadas. The difference between the two variations is filling. The empanadas vigilia is made with seafood fillings. 

Many Mexicans prepare the dish with poblano chile rajas or with sautéed mushroom with a stem of epazote and diced onion. Fresh or canned fish with garlic, onion, and tomatoes are a good combination of an empanada filling. 

Vegetarian empanada fillings are also good for the observance of lent.  

Capirotada

Capirotada has many variations across the Latin American region. It is a bread pudding dish made from leftover white bread. The leftover bread is mixed with syrup and various spices. Some variations contain dried or fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, some variations may be made with a kind of cheese.

Many capirotada in Mexico are created with one-day-old bolillos or any bread similar to the bolillos. The bread is then mixed with a piloncillo syrup. In the northern parts of Mexico, they often use sweetened condensed milk instead of the syrup. The Mexican capirotada includes dried fruits such as prunes and raisins. Mexicans also love to put cheese in their capirotada. It is the breakfast or dessert during the observation of Lent.

A legend suggests the ingredients used in making the capirotada is associated with Christ's crucifixion. The bread is a representation of the body of Christ. Also, the syrup may represent the blood of Christ. 

Mexican Egg Dishes

Mexicans take pride in their egg dishes. The huevos rancheros (ranchero eggs) is a flexible egg dish. This scrambled egg dish is mixed with cooked nopalitos and chopped green beans. This dish can be eaten at any time of the day. This is a perfect red-meatless dish for Lent. It is normally partnered with a slice of avocado and a slice of Mexican cheese. 

Croquetas and Tortillas

Tortillas and croquetas are both Mexican fried patties. The only difference between the two is their shape. It is a dish normally served in a Mexican table. 

Its ingredients are flexible similar to the other dishes mentioned in this article like the empanada. This dish is often prepared with red meat and chicken. However, this can be prepared with leftover vegetables. Also, it is mixed with eggs and breadcrumbs. These ingredients are then mixed and fried. These dishes are regularly seen in almost every home in Mexico. It is normally prepared by homemakers. These dishes are a favorite during Lent and Holy Week.