A traditional Goan Good Friday menu

Evelyn Siqueira

Goan cuisine might be chock-full of flavour, but you won’t find any of it in Catholic homes on Good Friday, which is an important day of fasting and abstinence for them. Here’s what they eat, instead…

Lent | Good Friday | Goa | Photo: Gomantak Times

Traditionally, pez, a rice gruel, was literally the flavour of the day for Goa’s Catholics on Good Friday.

Lent | Good Friday | Goa | Food | Photo: Venita Gomes

Pickle and para (pickled fish or seafood), adds a burst of flavour to an otherwise bland meal.

Lent | Good Friday | Goa | Food | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

Papad lends a mild flavour and crunch to the food.

Lent | Good Friday | Goa | Food | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

Chepnim are small, tender mangoes in brine.

Lent | Good Friday | Goa | Food | Photo: BigFatTummy

Considering it’s mango season in Goa, freshly cut raw mangoes, korom, are a popular accompaniment.

Lent | Good Friday | Goa | Food | Photo: Venita Gomes

Goan curries taste good, and yesterday’s curry is even better! Yesterday’s curry, kalchi koddi, is thick and possesses a strong flavour.

Lent | Good Friday | Goa | Photo: Gomantak Times

Goans love their fish. But, dry salted fish is the way to go on Good Friday.

Lent | Good Friday | Goa | Food | Photo: KD

NEXT: Commemorating the Last Supper at Maundy Thursday in Goa

SEE MORE