The Religious Significance of the Mexican Dish Capirotada
The basic ingredients of the Mexican dish Capirotada have a rich symbolic connection to the Passion of Christ.
Capirotada is a traditional Mexican dish similar to a bread pudding that is usually eaten during the Lenten period and Good Friday. The sweet and savory dish holds a very symbolic connection to the Passion of Christ and is considered by many Mexican and Mexican-American families as a reminder of the suffering of Christ on Good Friday.
This is one of those dishes that is either loved or extremely disliked because of its sweet and savory ingredients. There are several different ways to prepare Capirotada but the basic ingredients usually consist of bolillo bread (similar to a baguette), Muenster cheese, raisins, cloves, cinnamon, piloncillo (Mexican raw sugar), peanuts, or pecans, and spices among other ingredients. Sometimes condensed milk is added or dried fruits such as dates and or apricots.
Observers of lent view this dish as a reminder of the suffering of Christ on the cross where the ingredients carry a rich and symbolic representation such as the bread signifying the Body of Christ, the syrup his blood, the cloves are the nails on the cross, the cinnamon sticks symbolize the wooden cross, and the melted cheese stands for the Holy Shroud.
Capirotada is usually made in big batches and can be found at any of the local Mexican bakeries around town such as Bowie Bakery. Then again, if you have the family hookup, then that’s probably the best Capirotada in town.