Not just fish. Catholics are allowed to eat beaver too, since it’s technically a fish in their eyes.
No, really…I only wish I was making this up…
This is gold!
So in the 17th century, the Bishop of Quebec approached his superiors in the Church and asked whether his flock would be permitted to eat beaver meat on Fridays during Lent, despite the fact that meat-eating was forbidden. Since the semi-aquatic rodent was a skilled swimmer, the Church declared that the beaver was a fish. Being a fish, beaver barbeques were permitted throughout Lent. Problem solved!
Which was wrong from the beginning, since it’s only allowed to eat “things without breath”.
Ever heard of “Maultaschen”?
One of their origin stories is, that a monk created them so he can secretly eat meat on Fridays. Since the meat was cut very small and “hidden” in the dough between vegetables and other stuff, God wouldn’t be able to see it. That’s why it’s also called “Herrgottsbscheißerle” in swabian which roughly translates to “small cheater on God”.
So God can’t look through pasta dough? So you could theoretically make a “sin den” with pasta wallpaper and be safe from God’s wrath?
If one of your sins is gluttony, wouldn’t you eat the walls?
EDIT: Might work for someone legitimately suffering Celiac Disease.
You have to hide yourself between vegetables and breadcrumbs as well, but then it should work I guess ¯_(ツ)_/¯
In Modica, Sicily they have a chocolate dessert with minced beef called 'Mpanatigghi which has a similar story.
Venezuelans also eat capybara for the same reason.
The idea that fish is ok makes no sense. It makes sense from the fact that denying easy protein to a culture living in a desert on the ocean would NEVER fly. But not in any way for categorization.
Shit… Time to open up a beaver farm
Fun fact: The McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish was invented for Catholics so they could still go to McDonald’s on Fridays.
Secondary Fun Fact: It was created by a franchise owner, against the wishes of CEO Ray Kroc, who had created a sandwich with grilled pineapple as a meat substitute for that purpose.
Yep! The Hula Burger! Something tells me Kroc got that one wrong.
Grilled pineapple is delicious.
Maybe, but I’m not so sure about grilled pineapple with melted cheese on a bun, which is what Kroc envisioned.
Hmm. Maybe you’re right. I’d have to try it out. And today is grocery day, AND I had a dream about pineapple…
Oops. I added pineapple to my burger, forgetting to just replace the meat patty. It was okay, but I’ll try again tomorrow.
Have you never had Hawaiian pizza?
Unfortunately, I have.
Also, they generally don’t make it with processed cheese.
Catholics every Friday.
Mmmmm mercury
The Tasmanian trout lady was just catholic. It all makes sense now
