Holy Mackerel! History of Lent and Fish
At City Fish Market, as we say, “Holy Mackerel! History of Lent and Fish,” we would like to add a disclaimer. We truly respect religious holidays. At the same time, we can’t help but acknowledge that the seafood industry owes a lot to religions such as Catholicism. No-meat Fridays honor the sacrifice Jesus made for us all, and the practice has been a blessing for the fishing industry. Lent in particular stirs up great interest in eating fish, especially with the tradition of having large gatherings for Friday fish fries.
Oh, and, to eliminate any confusion, “holy mackerel” isn’t a specific dish, at least that we have discovered. Here, it’s just our way of expressing wonder over the remarkable history of Lent and fish and its resulting impact on fish markets like ours.
The History of Lent and Fish
The Lenten season is a time of reflection, fasting, and engaging in acts of charity in the days prior to Easter. Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Methodists, and Lutherans are among the many who observe Lent. The length of the season is based on the 40-day fast in the desert that Jesus went on before his miraculous ministry began.
The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday, and it is an official day of fasting from meat each year, along with the usual Friday fasts. The 40 days of Lent exclude Sundays, and they end on the Saturday before Easter, also known as Resurrection Day!
Fish is a natural, healthy, and tasty substitute for meat. And, yes, you can choose to cook mackerel on these holy days, though it doesn’t make the fish a holy mackerel—or, actually, does it? So sorry, but we don’t claim to be experts in anything other than providing fresh seafood.
In any case, as fasting from meat became increasingly common in religious practice, the seafood industry received a much-needed boost. We are grateful for that, and we do all we can to increase the demand for seafood. By offering reliably fresh seafood, more home chefs are presumably encouraged to serve their families the healthiest lean protein.
Great Fish Recipes for Lent
While you are observing Lent, you can enjoy wonderful new recipes for meals featuring fish. Taste of Home.com offers a collection of 30 Delicious Fish Recipes for Lent. Each recipe has been test-kitchen approved, and many have garnered great reviews. There are no limits on the fresh fish you can find at City Fish Market. Keep that in mind as you consider which mouthwatering fish recipes to serve during Lent. Options at the link above include the following:
- Sweet & Tangy Salmon with Green Beans, which kids are purported to love
- Blackened Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles
- Honey Walleye
- Crumb-Topped Sole
- Summer Garden Fish Tacos
- Mahi Mahi & Veggie Skillet
- Tuna Mushroom Casserole
We have great seafood recipes on our website that could be perfect for your family. Try Creamy Cajun Halibut, Grilled Grouper Tacos, and Miso and Soy Glazed Sea Bass, to name a few. We also offer ready-to-bake fish dishes such as swordfish kabobs and salmon burgers.
Visit City Fish Market for Fish Fry Ingredients and More During Lent
We hope you will consider City Fish Market your seafood source when you think of Holy Mackerel and the History of Lent and Fish. Visit us at 884 Silas Deane Hwy in Wethersfield, CT, for the freshest seafood every season of the year. If you have any questions, call or fill out our online form, keeping in mind our history of providing fresh seafood since 1930. That said, we are fairly certain that you can substitute meat during Lent and on Fridays with other seafood besides fish, including lobster, crab, oysters, and more.