A Catholic country, Easter is considered as important an holiday as Christmas in Portugal.
The tradition varies in different regions, but there's plenty of common ground, including the fact that no one eats meat on Good Friday. The Portuguese eat modest meals throughout the day and indulgences such as sweets, cakes and pastries aren't allowed. The traditional Good Friday supper includes cod, potatoes, cabbage and other steamed vegetables.
After the ascetic day, Easter Sunday is celebrated with an abundant meal of meatloaf or lamb, cooked in the oven (usually a wood oven in the north) and served with potatoes, rice and lots of regional sweets. All family generations get together for dinner - even if it means travelling the whole day. Egg is the obligatory ingredient for more traditional pastries and bread, and chocolate is always present. There are a lot of street celebrations across the country, especially in old villages. Sunday mass is still considered the high point of Easter celebrations.
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