Frog Legs for Lent?

 

My husband, before he had his first cup of coffee this morning, asked the question, “Being a good, practicing Catholic, are frog legs OK to eat during Lent*?" He went on to say, “They are amphibians, but they taste like chicken.”

 

 

I told him that it was too early for a theological discussion, but then curiosity took over.

 

This photo is from the Froglegs.org site.  See link below.

Photos and recipes, here: Frog Legs 

 

It was an interesting question that I wanted to research, but that odd follow-up statement was in the back of my mind: Why mention that they taste like chicken? I searched the question of whether frog legs were acceptable for Lent, and found several laymen-type sites that said that frogs, being amphibians, were aquatic animals and therefore permissible.  However, I also found a statement that said that animal by-products were appropriate to consume, such as butter or milk, since they did not taste like meat. So now, I’m wondering, if frog legs taste like chicken, are they really OK?  This is turning out to be more perplexing than I first thought and will require more investigation. For now, everything indicates frog leg approval.

 

 

Here in the South, frog legs may be one more answer to “What’s for dinner?”  Imagine them like chicken wings, the little drumettes that are so popular with barbecue sauce, and also known as hot wings.  Frog legs are often served as appetizers with a white sauce as well.  

 

Carnival is underway with parades in many of the Gulf Coast cities, including Mobile, where the oldest carnival/Mardi Gras celebrations in the US take place. Mardi Gras is still a couple of weeks away, so for now, we can enjoy our frog legs without worrying about restrictions. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

catholic-reflection-on-lenten-fasting-

 

*As you know, Catholics abstain from eating mammals and fowl on Fridays during the season of Lent, from Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) until Easter.  Denying oneself of certain foods is a type of penance.  The focus instead is on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, not just in giving money but also in giving of our time and talents. 

            "In the poor and outcast we see Christ's face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ." — Pope Francis, Message for Lent 2014