Summary
Lent (vigilia) is a religious practice that consists of abstaining from eating meat on certain days of the liturgical calendar. In this guide: What is Lent and why do we continue eating it, When Lent is observed during Holy Week 2026, What can and cannot be eaten during Lent.
What is Lent and why do we continue eating it?
Lent (vigilia) is a religious practice that consists of abstaining from eating meat on certain days of the liturgical calendar. It originated in Catholic tradition and dates back to the early centuries of Christianity, when the faithful fasted as penance and spiritual preparation.
What exactly does the word "vigilia" mean? In its liturgical sense, vigilia is the day on which the Catholic Church asks for abstinence from meat as an act of penance. The term comes from the Latin vigilia ("night watch"), because it originally designated the night of prayer before an important feast day. Today, in everyday Spanish, "hacer vigilia" (to keep vigil) mainly means one thing: eating fish instead of meat during Lent and, very especially, on Good Friday.
Today, many Spanish families—believers or not—maintain the custom of preparing meatless dishes during Holy Week. They do it out of tradition, for culinary culture, or simply because Lenten dishes are delicious. Cod, chickpea and spinach stews, and fish fritters are all part of our collective culinary memory.
Ultimately, Lent has become a perfect excuse to revive grandmother's recipes, gather the family around the table, and enjoy seasonal cuisine.
When is Lent observed during Holy Week 2026?
The Catholic Church establishes two types of penitential days:
- Days of abstinence: No meat is eaten, but fish, seafood, eggs, and dairy are allowed. These are all Fridays of Lent.
- Days of fasting and abstinence: In addition to not eating meat, meals are limited to one main meal and two lighter ones. This applies on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
In 2026, the key dates are:
- Ash Wednesday: February 18 — fasting and abstinence.
- Lenten Fridays: every Friday from February 20 to March 27 — abstinence.
- Good Friday: April 3 — fasting and abstinence.
In practice, most families concentrate their Lenten meals on Good Friday and, at most, on Maundy Thursday. But if you want to follow the complete tradition, there are seven Fridays of Lent plus Ash Wednesday.
What can and cannot be eaten during Lent?
The rule is simple: no meat. This includes beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and cured meats. Everything else is permitted.
Classic Lenten foods include:
- Fish: cod (the undisputed king), hake, sardines, anchovies, monkfish, sea bass.
- Seafood: shrimp, prawns, mussels, clams, squid.
- Legumes: chickpeas, lentils, white beans — the base of Lenten stews.
- Vegetables: spinach, chard, artichokes, asparagus, peppers.
- Eggs and dairy: always permitted.
- Sweets: torrijas (French toast), pestiños (honey fritters), leche frita (fried milk), flores manchegas (Manchegan fried pastries).
Salted cod became the star of Lent for practical reasons: it could be preserved without refrigeration for months, reached all corners of Spain, and was economical. Today we choose it because its flavor and versatility are unmatched. If you are going to cook a Lenten dish, ready-to-cook desalted cod saves you days of soaking.
Difference between vigilia, fasting, and abstinence
This is the most common question, because the three terms are often confused. The distinction is simple:
- Abstinence: consists of not eating meat. This is what most people understand by "vigilia." It applies to all Fridays of Lent. You can eat fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, legumes, and vegetables as much as you want.
- Fasting: consists of reducing the amount of food to one main meal a day (plus two lighter snacks that do not equal another meal). It refers to the quantity of food, not the type of food.
- Vigilia: in Spanish practice, it is synonymous with abstaining from meat. A "vigilia dish" is simply a meatless dish: cod, chickpea and spinach stew, fish fritters.
That is why only two days of the year combine both obligations—fasting and abstinence—: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On the other Fridays of Lent, abstinence (not eating meat) is sufficient. If you want to delve deeper into the current rules, consult our guide on fasting and abstinence in Lent.
Lenten menu for Good Friday
This is a complete menu for Good Friday, designed for 4-6 people. All dishes can be prepared in advance.
Appetizer:
- Cod fritters with mild aioli. Prepare the dough the night before and fry them just before serving.
First course (choose one):
- Andalusian Lenten stew with chickpeas, spinach, and cod.
- Castilian garlic soup with poached egg.
- Cream of white asparagus with smoked cod flakes.
Second course (choose one):
- Baked cod with "patatas panaderas" (sliced baked potatoes) and peppers.
- Cod in green sauce with clams.
- Basque-style hake.
Dessert:
- Milk torrijas (French toast) with cinnamon. Or pestiños (honey fritters) if you prefer the Andalusian style.
Modern Lenten menu (without sacrificing tradition)
If you want to surprise with an updated version, try this menu:
- Starter: desalted cod tartare with avocado, lime, and sesame oil.
- First: roasted cauliflower cream with confit cod flakes.
- Second: slow-cooked cod loin (55 °C, 18 minutes) with light pil pil sauce and garlic chips.
- Dessert: caramelized torrija with vanilla ice cream.
The key to slow-cooked cod is to use thick, premium quality loins. A 3-4 cm thick loin, well desalted, will be juicy and flake beautifully. In our store you will find selected pieces from Iceland, perfect for this type of preparation.
How to organize your Lenten shopping
Plan 48 hours in advance. Here's the timeline:
3 days before:
- Start desalting the cod if you are using salted pieces. Change the water every 8 hours, always in the refrigerator.
- Buy dried legumes and soak them the night before cooking.
2 days before:
- Prepare the stew. Stews taste better the next day.
- Make the fritter dough if you plan to serve them.
1 day before:
- Prepare the torrijas. They rest better after a few hours in the refrigerator.
- Have the sofrito or green sauce for the main course ready.
On the same day:
- Cook the main dish (baked cod or cod in sauce) just before serving. Fresh cod does not tolerate long reheating.
- Fry the fritters just before serving.
If you prefer the convenience of pre-desalted, ready-to-cook cod, at Bacalalo we will send it to your home in 24-48 hours, vacuum-packed to maintain all its freshness.
Premium Seafood Products — Bacalalo
Since 1990 selecting the best from the sea at Mercat del Ninot, Barcelona. Refrigerated delivery in 24-48h.
View Icelandic cod →Frequently asked questions about Holy Week Lent
What exact days should I observe Lent in 2026?
Ash Wednesday (February 18) and all Fridays of Lent, including Good Friday (April 3). That's 8 days in total. Most families only observe it on Good Friday.
Can you eat eggs and cheese during Lent?
Yes. Abstinence refers only to meat. Eggs, dairy, fish, and seafood are allowed.
Does chicken or ham broth count as meat?
Yes. If the broth is made with chicken bones, ham, or any meat, it is considered meat. Use fish or vegetable broth for your Lenten stews.
Why is cod the fish of Holy Week?
Because when salted, it could be preserved for months without refrigeration. It was the only fish that reached inland towns in Spain fresh. Furthermore, it is versatile, economical, and goes a long way: half a kilo can feed an entire family.
How much cod do I need per person?
Estimate 150-200g of desalted cod per person as a main course. If it's for a stew or casserole with legumes, 100-120g per person is sufficient.
Can desalted cod be frozen?
Yes. Once desalted, you can freeze it in portions wrapped in cling film. It will last 2-3 months without losing quality. Thaw it in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
What does the word "vigilia" mean?
It comes from the Latin vigilia ("night watch") and, in a religious sense, designates the evening of penance before a feast day. In Spain, "hacer vigilia" (to keep vigil) is now primarily used to refer to abstaining from meat and eating fish during Lent, especially on Good Friday.
Is "vigilia" the same as abstinence?
In practice, yes. Abstinence is not eating meat, and that's precisely what most people mean by "hacer vigilia." Fasting is different: it reduces the quantity of food, not the type of food. Only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are fasting and abstinence combined.
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