Photo credit: Angie Moiser from the cookbook Gumbo Love
Growing up Catholic, it was ingrained into my psyche and into the family routines of most of our friends to abstain from meat on Fridays throughout the year. Back in the 1960’s a tradition started with restaurants offering a Friday Fish Fry as a relatively inexpensive way for working and middle-class Catholics to dine out with their families while still adhering to the rules.
Usually (and especially in my younger more rebellious days) I never met a rule I didn’t question, but a day dedicated to eating seafood seemed like good idea, possibly real divine intervention!
In my humble opinion, there is no better way to enjoy seafood than deep-fried. In Gumbo Love I write about Fridays being “Fry-Days” when we can celebrate the art of this Southern way. I, like most folks, have had to change some of my overindulgent habits as I get older. Abstaining more from my favorite comfort foods (or preparation methods) has been one of those modifications. BUT, the good Buffett that I am can not resist my genetic pull to the ‘fried side’ and say … sometimes you just have to live it up! In Gumbo Love I write a lot about frying methods and offer several recipes for fried seafood. My mouth waters just reading “to bread or to batter – that is the question.”
It’s truly a family tradition that I cherish and will be celebrated for as long as I’m around!
“So if you’re gonna fry, fry happy. Make it a family gathering. Make it a party. Make the save-up worth it and enjoy…”
Can’t wait til next Fry-day!!
I’m curious, do you have any Lenten traditions or family traditions that involve food and do you still celebrate them?
