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A collection of 17 Healthy Lent Recipes – all Latin-inspired fish and seafood main dishes – for the practicing Christian to bring much-needed flavor and variety to what can sometimes be described as “tedious” and “boring.” You’ll find light and lively ceviche recipes, seafood tacos, soups and stews, and spicy, saucy fish. Take a look and up your Lenten “game!”
If you prefer to skip all my jabber, click the red button to go straight to all the delicious Latin-inspired fish and seafood recipes!
Lent is a time for reconsidering our feelings, for letting our eyes be opened to injustice, to open our hearts to those suffering.
~~ Pope Francis
Tamara Talks (About Lent)
As a recent Baptist-turned-Episcopalian, I realized I knew next to nothing about Lent. Given that the liturgy of the church was a major factor in our decision to make the change, I decided now is the time to learn what this ancient liturgy is all about. (Wednesday February 26 to Thursday April 9 in 2020).
Lent is not really about food, but because I am a food writer and recipe creator, the food aspect of Lent is of particular importance. When our sons were younger, all 4 of them worked (at different times) for Red Lobster in Las Cruces, NM. I remember finding the emphasis on “endless shrimp” rather amusing.
I have also seen an emphasis on less healthy options like McDonald’s fillet o’ fish and fat-laden macaroni and cheese. And whatever you do, no fish sticks! Yuck! 🤮 In bringing you this collection of healthy Lent recipes, I decided to focus on what else? – Latin-inspired fish and seafood dishes…
What is Lent?
Lent is the period of forty days before Easter in the Christian calendar, traditionally a time of fasting and reflection. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and begins with Ash Wednesday.
The three main things people tend to focus on are fasting (abstaining from food), prayer, and giving of time and money. You may (or may not) have heard that animal proteins are not consumed during Lent, rather the emphasis is on fish and plant proteins.
Lent involves some level of sacrifice on the part of the believer, but it varies widely. Last year I gave up political posts. LOL. Some people give up alcohol.
As to food, the “rules” are loose, and I haven’t known of anyone policing what we do and do not eat. It really is a personal thing between the believer and God.
What can I eat during Lent?
Healthy Lent Recipes of course! On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent:
Yes
No
- fish and seafood
- eggs
- milk
- cheese
- vegetables
- grains
- beef
- pork
- poultry of any kind
- deer
- rabbit
- basically all animals
In addition to avoiding animal proteins, reducing consumption is widely practiced. If you are observing Lent with your diet, it is important to keep your meals varied, interesting, and HEALTHY!
Enjoy these gorgeous and tasty dishes! In the spirit of love…
Healthy Lent Recipes: Latin-Inspired Fish and Seafood
You'll be hooked at first bite with this Peruvian Ceviche. Who could possibly resist the silky smoothness of the fish with salt and sour flavours?
This Halibut Ceviche recipe is super popular with all of our friends. It’s tart, yet salty and spicy. Perfect for eating with tortilla chips, plantain chips, or sliced cucumbers.
Aguachile is a cold dish that is a perfect summer lunch for the upcoming hot days. It’s healthy and fresh, full of strong flavors and contrast textures.
Firm white fish in a blood orange and beer broth with spiralized and roasted vegetables...
In Guatemala, Mexico and the rest of Latin America, bacalao Spanish-style is especially popular for Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Semana Santa, the week leading up to Easter Sunday. It’s a must-eat during Lent when Guatemalans purchase the thin slabs of pescado seco (dried cod) in the mercados around Antigua and other towns in Guatemala.
Salmon cooked in a creamy, zesty green sauce made with tomatillo salsa and sesame tahini and English peas. Serve with rice or cauliflower rice to sop up the delicious, creamy sauce!
This Easy Baked Tilapia Veracruz is a shortcut version of the traditional Mexican dish. It's quick enough for a weeknight dinner, and captures the flavors of the original.
A flavorful, creamy, spicy tangy sauce to dress up fish (any way you like it)!
Cod fillets are quickly sautéed in a skillet on the stovetop until tender and flaky then covered in a creamy chili and lime corn relish.
This sweet, spicy and smoky salsa negra easily comes together and tastes deeply complex! The intensely flavored, moist and tender salmon is perfectly balanced by a refreshing seasonal fresh fruit salsa on top!
A fiesta in bowl, Mexican Arroz con Camarones combines Mexican flavors - cilantro, cumin, and garlic - with shrimp, rice, black beans, and veggies. Garnished with avocado, jalapeño, more cilantro, and lime wedges, it's quick, healthy, and flavorful... Ready in 30 minutes!
This Cuban-style marinated grilled salmon is gluten-free, keto and paleo friendly, and delicious. Best of all, it is easy and quick to make.
Salmon with Passion Fruit Sauce is made with pan-seared salmon and passion fruit sauce, sweetened with honey. Bold romantic flavor, easy recipe.
This is quick and easy Brazilian Fish Stew (Moqueca Baiana). Everyday pantry staples like coconut milk, lime and fish are combined into making this Traditional Brazilian Seafood recipe.
Healthy fish and shrimp in a savory coconut-based broth with healthy plantains and sweet potatoes. Make it in your Instant Pot or on the stove. It's quick either way!
Healthy Mexican? Yes. It is so easy to make Mexican food healthy! Just skip the cheese and go for the incredible fresh flavors of cilantro, lime, poblanos peppers, and such. This easy Shrimp Chalupa dinner recipe does all that and more with succulent shrimp and a light and creamy sauce made with roasted poblano peppers.
Sweet and savory, these tacos are so tasty you will want to go back for seconds, maybe thirds! And they are so quick, they just might become a weeknight staple. Whenever you see a mango, think about these colorful tacos!
These tacos are filled with cod that you season with chili powder and garlic and then pan fry until just charred. Then you top them with a roasted pineapple coleslaw. The contrast between the sweet and spicy flavors is delicious.
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