With the arrival of the Spaniards and missionaries in Puerto Rico, the Catholic Church was established and the diocese of Puerto Rico was founded.
Over the centuries, two prominent religious currents emerged: Catholicism, imposed by the Spanish conquest, and Protestantism, brought by American influence.
Today, the popular tradition of celebrating Catholic festivities such as Holy Week and Lent continues. During Lent, no Puerto Rican home is complete without preparing special dishes related to the prohibition of eating meat on Fridays during Lent. One dish that cannot be missing is capirotada, the dessert that complements the seven casseroles of Lent, and is accompanied by lentil, fava bean dishes, croquettes, cakes, and shrimp empanadas.
The name "capirotada" refers to the large cap, a hat with multiple layers, called capirote, that monks used to wear during Holy Week processions.
This dessert consists of different layers, each with a special meaning: bread symbolizes the body of Christ, piloncillo (raw sugar) his blood, cheese the shroud that wrapped him in the tomb, and cinnamon the cross.
Nowadays, capirotada has undergone modifications in each region. Ingredients like coconut, prunes, almonds, guava, and others have been added according to each family's tastes. It is traditionally prepared on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent.
