The modern-day consumer is fortunate to have such a vast array of dining options easily available to them. Depending on where you live, you’ll likely have access to everything from budget-oriented fast food like burgers and fries to fine dining establishments offering filet mignon and lobster tails garnished with warm butter.
Choice is one of our nation’s defining factors. However, certain religious beliefs add a level of complexity to the infinite American menu, preventing it from being carte blanche. During Lent, many Christians abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday until Easter Sunday, which can limit the dining options available to them during this period.
With Lent just around the corner, Christians from some denominations will respectfully give up meat and other things in order to observe the upcoming holiday. If you count yourself among Lent’s celebrants, just know that you don’t have to sacrifice all your favorite foods to celebrate appropriately; succulent Maine lobster is still on the menu.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF LENT
For Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians, and a host of other denominations, celebrating Lent comes as second nature. As far as holidays go, it’s an important part of Christianity. For those unfamiliar, however, it’s worth a brief discussion on the origins of Lent so that everyone is on the same page.
The Lenten “holiday” emerged shortly following the council of Nicea in 325 A.D and is spread out over 40 days, beginning at the tail end of winter/early spring. In fact, the origin of the word “Lent” comes from an antiquated English word for springtime.
Lent formally begins with Ash Wednesday and runs until Holy Thursday, which is the day before Good Friday—the day when Christians commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. Lent, with its 40-day timespan, falls during a slightly different time period every year, starting 46 days before Easter Sunday.
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So why do Christians celebrate such a protracted holiday, and what does Lent actually involve? As recorded in the Bible, Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert to fast and pray to prepare him for his ministry on earth. There is a long tradition of abstinence associated with the Lenten season. Through Lent, parishioners aim to closely emulate Jesus’ spiritual journey by fostering their personal relationship with God through prayer and fasting.
There is also an element of charity involved in Lent, called “Almsgiving,” in which the people of the church serve the less fortunate in the community in which they live. This is an outward showing of compassion and kindness, and the practice is often seen as a way to bring balance and justice to society by addressing the disparities between the rich and the poor.
Lent is a time of self-sacrifice, self-discipline, reflection, and repentance. While a deepening of your faith is the end goal of participating in Lent, fasting is the practice that receives the most attention and notoriety.
LENTEN DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
“What are you giving up for Lent?” It’s a common question among the faithful who choose to celebrate in the weeks leading up to Easter. Some people give up different “earthly pleasures” such as food, alcohol, screen time, hobbies, or other activities. The truth is, depending on a person’s particular denomination, there are layers to Lenten’s sacrifice, and people will approach it in their own ways.
As mentioned, obligatory days to fast are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as well as every Friday during the lenten period. Protestant parishioners fast something of importance during this 40-day process. The idea is that the sacrifice is personal, with the belief that it brings one closer to God. The strictest, most orthodox denominations call for a greater commitment, involving complex dietary restrictions.
For many, this sacrifice means giving up integral parts of their diet: the most notable element is meat—but not all meat. The more orthodox religions specifically call for their congregation to abstain from meats like chicken, beef, pork, and lamb; however, cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, shellfish, amphibians, and fresh or saltwater fish are generally considered acceptable to eat.
So what are the criteria for determining which meats are Lent approved and which are not? Most theologians consider warm-blooded land animals, including birds, off-limits during the Lenten fast. The reason? For centuries, the church recognized meat as a coveted delicacy that was highly valued during feasts and celebrations. Christ’s crucifixion was not considered a celebratory event. In fact, the strictest religious groups will abstain from all animal products, including eggs and dairy products.
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Some denominations have argued whether fish and other seafood are considered meat. There’s still a bit of a gray area, but most agree they are acceptable because their home is in the water. In ancient times, fish were not considered a delicacy or a celebratory meal like meat, but simply a basic staple of almost every home. The takeaway: shellfish is indeed an acceptable meal choice during your Lenten fast.
LOBSTER FOR LENT
Let’s revisit our initial thesis: can you eat lobster during Lent? Only a handful of the most conservative denominations restrict lobster, considering it an extravagant expense during a time of giving and sacrifice. But most agree it is perfectly acceptable to eat lobster and shellfish, both categorized as seafood and part of what makes fish fry Fridays so popular.
For lobster lovers who observe Lent, this season is an excellent time to enjoy the many lobster-based dishes available. According to the above rules, you’re free to eat shellfish during Lent without it interfering with your religious duties. That said, what’s the best way to eat lobster while sticking to your commitment?
If you live in a region where the cold winter months overlap with the Lenten season, a hearty lobster bisque might warm you up while quelling your taste buds. You can enjoy several pasta dishes, such as lobster ravioli, linguine all’astice, or lobster fra diavolo. If you prefer a more traditional taste that puts the lobster meat front and center while maintaining the genuine, simple idea of Lent, go for a fresh lobster roll instead.
There is a multitude of ways to integrate lobster into your Lenten diet. No matter your tastes, using fresh Maine lobster in whatever dish you choose will make this time more enjoyable.
WHY MAINE LOBSTER?
Maine lobster is world renowned for both its flavor and its high quality. No matter where you live, one bite of succulent claw or tail meat will transport you to the Atlantic coastline, resplendent with nature and the awe-inspiring sights and sounds of the ocean. Maine lobster features a one-of-a-kind taste reminiscent of the delicious homemade dishes found at numerous lobster shacks dotting the shoreline. But what makes Maine lobster the superior type of shellfish?
The North Atlantic is the perfect breeding ground for large, valuable lobsters. The cold waters allow lobsters to reach their full potential, promoting their slow and steady growth and resulting in a sweet and firm meat.
The advantage of cold water is that lobsters thrive in colder climates, especially in mineral-rich areas of the Northern Atlantic. Cold water provides the ideal environment for lobsters to mature and grow at the right pace. When they are ready to shed their old shell in summer, they move toward shallow, warmer waters and are caught at just the right time, contributing to the development of their desirable sweet taste and meaty texture—one that can’t be found anywhere else on earth.
CELEBRATE LENT WITH LOBSTER ROLLS
So what’s the best way to satisfy your craving for succulent lobster this Lent while staying humble and honoring your religious obligations? There’s no better way than a famous Maine or Connecticut style lobster roll. The best lobster rolls in either style are both simple and genuine, using freshly caught Maine lobster from the North Atlantic.
Both types of lobster rolls give faithful parishioners a simple, down-home way to enjoy the delectable taste of sweet and succulent Maine lobster without the elaborate gourmet trimmings. The Connecticut lobster roll features chunks of claw and tail meat tossed in warm butter and stuffed into a toasted, buttered, split-top bun. The Maine lobster roll variation, on the other hand, is prepared with generous cuts of chilled Maine lobster mixed with mayonnaise and lemon butter, also on a toasted split-top bun.
Regardless of the style that suits your particular preferences, lobster rolls offer the perfect Lenten meal option, blending the decadent flavor of freshly caught lobster with the humble, unassuming presentation of the split-top bun. Maine lobster is a virtual lifesaver in a season marked by abstinence and sacrifice.
If you’re looking for a worthy—and delicious––protein alternative during the 2023 Lent season, look no further than Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls. Visit us online to find the location nearest you, or spend some time checking out our other lobster-based delicacies. We look forward to celebrating Lent with you!
