The Unexpected Protein You Can Eat During Lent, According To An Archbishop

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During the prayer season of Lent, Catholics observe the practice of self-control by abstaining from meat on Fridays. Meat, in this case, refers to the flesh of birds and land animals, so fish and seafood become the go-to foods to fill the protein void. Because of this, many restaurants, including Culver's and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, offer fish plates and fast food fried shrimp menu items to try during Lent. However, fish and seafood aren't the only Lent-approved proteins, as one archbishop says alligators are acceptable as well.

Back in 2010, Louisiana alligator wrangler Jim Piculas wrote a letter to the church in order to settle a debate between himself and some friends. They wanted to know whether or not alligator was an acceptable meat to eat during Lent. He received a response from Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, and Piculas read it aloud during a radio interview with NPR's The Salt.

"Yes," the archbishop wrote, "the alligator is considered in the fish family and I agree with you, God has created a magnificent creature that is important to the state of Louisiana and it is considered seafood." The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops confirms this: "Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles (cold-blooded animals), and shellfish are permitted."

Believe it or not, alligator meat is pretty widely available. It's a delicacy in the South, especially in Florida and Louisiana, where some restaurant chefs are incorporating the reptile meat into their menus. It's a sustainable option in Louisiana, plus it's rich in protein and has a low fat content.

Alligator wings, which come from the reptile's short legs, are especially popular. They're generally deep-fried like chicken wings and served with sauce. However, the tail is the preferred cut of alligator meat because its texture is comparable to chicken and easy to incorporate into any recipe.

If you don't live in an area where restaurants serve alligator-based dishes, making alligator meatballs doesn't take any additional work compared to beef, chicken, or pork. You could always check your local grocers for alligator products, such as the Country Boy Gator nuggets sold at some Walmart locations. Want something more shelf-stable? Canned alligator is a real thing, too — simply heat it and use it as the main protein component for rice dishes.