Ash Wednesday, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent when Catholic tradition calls for abstaining from eating meat on Fridays as a penitential practice and to remember the sacrifice of Christ.
Several area churches offer reasonably priced Lenten seafood meals on Fridays, though none will be serving on Good Friday, April 7, when Catholics are obligated to fast.
In addition to fried fish, menus may include salads, soup or sides including mac and cheese.
More:What is Ash Wednesday? Here’s what to know as Catholics and Christians begin Lent
Here’s where to go:
- St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, has classic fish fry dinners in its parish hall on Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m., beginning Friday, Feb. 24. Dishes included fried and baked flounder and crab cakes with a choice of French fries, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and green beans. Costs range from $14 to $17. Fish sticks and fries for children are $5. Cash or check only. Take-out is available.
- St. John the Beloved Catholic Church in Milltown and its Knight of Columbus has long hosted a fish fry in its parish hall at 907 Milltown Road during the Lenten season. Dinners this year from 5 to 7 p.m. begin on Feb. 24, with two others held on Friday, March 10 and Friday, March 24. Diners can pre-order for any of the three dates by 5 p.m. the day before or pay at the door. Dinners are $14 for adults, $7 for children. Soda, beer and wine are available for an additional cost. Dine-in or take-out.
- “Fish Fry in a Bag,” which is take-out only, also will be held at St. John’s church on Fridays on March 3, 17 and 31 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The $10 meal includes a fish sandwich, potato chips and a cookie. Vegetable lentil soup also is available for $5 a pint. Orders must be placed the Tuesday before the meal. Visit sjbkofcde.org/fish/fish-fry-in-a-bag/
- St. Helena’s Church at 602 Philadelphia Pike in Bellefonte will be holding its fish fry in Masci Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. on Fridays during Lent. The menu includes platters of fried fish, baked fish, fried shrimp, crab cakes, or a seafood entrée with a variety of vegetables. Soup, salads, and desserts and beer and wine also are available. Call 302-598-8685.
- Boy Scout Troop 283 hosts its annual Lenten Fish Fry on Friday, March 10. This event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the more than 20-year-old troop and proceeds help to make the program affordable. Meals are takeout only at the social hall of St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 2431 Frazer Road in Newark and can be picked up from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Customers can order beer-battered haddock, breaded shrimp and a haddock and shrimp combo meal with French fries, macaroni salad, coleslaw, salad, bread, and dessert. Costs are between $18 to $21. Macaroni and cheese meals with French fries and a roll ($10) and New England clam chowder ($6) are also available. Tickets can be purchased at fishfryde.org
- The Knights of Columbus Council No. 4182 at The Church of the Holy Cross, 631 S. State St., Dover, will be hosting Lenten dinners Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. in the parish hall. The menu for the first dinner on Friday, Feb. 24 is fried cod, baked flounder, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, green beans and dessert. Menus for the following weeks will be posted each week in the church bulletin.
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