After the intense jubilation of Mardi Gras comes to a close on Ash Wednesday, a different religious observance takes place that’s also important to the people of South Louisiana: Lent. This 40 day period of abstaining from meat represents fasting and sacrifice but, in classic Louisiana fashion, it’s turned instead into a cause for celebration. This is because South Louisiana is very fortunate not only because it has such a large Catholic population and a long culinary tradition of delicious food, but also access to the Gulf of Mexico and a copious amount of quality seafood. It’s safe to say that, for much of Louisiana’s population, giving up meat is hardly a sacrifice at all (though any day without boudin is, in a way, a sacrifice).
What is Lent?
Lent is the 40 day religious observance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. It is a period of abstinence, fasting and repentance that mirrors the Biblical story of Jesus fasting in the desert. It is observed by almost every sect of Christianity and is similar to the traditions in other major religions as well such as the Muslim observance of Ramadan. Traditionally, the observance of Lent would require Christians to fast from waking until after sundown, abstaining from food and drink through the day and eating only a vegetarian meal in the evenings. Throughout the year, this has modernized and several different forms of Lent have diverged. For some, Lent requires the observer to abstain from meat and eat only vegetables and seafood for forty days, others choose one vice or indulgence to “give up” for forty days, and others simply avoid meat on every Friday of the Lenten season. For many in Louisiana, the latter is the standard.
Why Seafood?
Despite the tradition of Lent originating with eating only vegetarian meals throughout the season, it wasn’t long before a compromise was made between the Church and the congregation: seafood doesn’t count as meat. Not only did this allow worshipers to inject some more protein-rich foods into their life, it was also great news for the American South, as Lent aligns with the best time of the year for the shellfish that is so plentiful in the Gulf.
As a result of this fortuitous circumstance, fried fish, seafood boils and other local seafood favorites became part of the Lenten tradition in Louisiana. The most popular among these is the iconic crawfish boil, when friends and family gather together around a paper-lined table and feast on Louisiana crawfish that’s boiled and well-seasoned along with garlic, onions, mushrooms, sausage, corn, potatoes and more!
Lent With Us!
Despite the wide variety of delicious seafood dishes available in South Louisiana, it can still be hard to say goodbye to Cajun classics such as boudin, cracklins, specialty meats and the rest of the fare that made Acadiana famous. Luckily, there are seafood substitutes for almost all your favorite Cajun goodies!
- Crawfish boudin
- Shrimp roll-ups
- Crawfish boudin balls
- Shrimp boudin balls
- Bite size crawfish boudin balls
- Crawfish pies
- & more!
Fortunately for those who aren’t lucky enough to live near the Gulf coast, a taste of Louisiana Lent is still within reach. Thanks to nationwide shipping, anyone in the US can order the above, as well as other local seafood treats like Louisiana crawfish tails, alligator meat, frog legs and more! Visit our online store to learn more, and have a great Lenten season!