Whether you call it Easter, Domingo Santo, or Pascua, Holy Sunday is a big day that usually involves a trip to mass and a mix of good food and great company (maybe even some candy [1]). As Catholic Latino families come together to celebrate the religious holiday and break Lent [2], these are some of the dishes that will take center stage at their brunch spread.
If they don't look familiar, and your relatives were all about eggs and bagels [3], consider adopting their deliciousness either way — you know what they say: the more food, the merrier.
Fanesca
For Ecuadorians, fanesca [4] will be a staple at Easter brunch. The flavorful soup mixes a few of everyone’s favorite things — platanos, empanadas, rice, beans, and avocado, to name a few.
Habichuelas Con Dulce
A traditional Dominican dish, habichuelas con dulce [5] are a must for Lent. Sweet cream of beans, as it is known in English, takes, well, beans and turns them into a sweet treat by adding vanilla extract, a couple kinds of milk, and sweet potatoes to the mix.
Pan de Pascua
OK, this may seem like just your regular fruitcake [6], but it's an experience when you have it during the holidays. Traditionally, it is an Easter treat, but some people also consume it during the Christmas holidays.
Ceviche
When Lent comes around, you might struggle to find meatless Latin dishes [7] to satisfy your cravings. Ceviche [8] steps in during that time to make the world a better place. Since meat is out of the question for some on Easter Day, this seafood-based dish [9] usually gets the spotlight.
Buñuelos
For some, these are an every-weekend treat, but for others, the homemade kind [10] is had on major holidays, like Christmas and Easter. Regardless of the recipe you follow, buñuelos [11] are the equivalent of heaven in your mouth.
Molotes
If there's ever a time to try a twist on your traditional empanada recipe, it’s during Easter when you have an entire family at hand ready to taste test. Molotes [12] are the Mexican version of the pastry — you can basically put anything you would put in a taco in them.
Bacalhau
In Brazil, every household will be eating this fish dish. Bacalhau [13] centers on making the most delicious cod dish you've ever tried.