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"Allegory of Lent (La Quaresima)," created around 1650 by Italian artist Valerio Spada. For centuries, the Christian tradition of fasting helped shape what food was put on the table. Illustration: Sailko

"Allegory of Lent (La Quaresima)," created around 1650 by Italian artist Valerio Spada. For centuries, the Christian tradition of fasting helped shape what food was put on the table. Illustration: Sailko

For centuries, Christians gave up meat, eggs and dairy products during Lent and other periods of abstinence. Here's how those restrictions left a mark on Italian cuisine – and on traditions that survive to this day

Yom Kippur is perhaps the holiest day in Judaism. For many Jews, it is also the only fast they observe. The Jewish calendar includes several other fast days, associated variously with mourning, commemoration, repentance and atonement.