The first week of Lent and Sushi

What's the connection between the first week of Lent and Sushi?

Tempura.

In Latin we call the Ember Days the Quatuor Tempora, or "four times" of the year. This Latin term gave rise to a form of foodwhich I am sure you all know.

In the 16th c. Spanish and Portuguese missionaries settled in Nagasaki, Japan. From their interest in inculturation and out of sensitivity for the ways of the people, they tried to make meatless meals for Embertide, which is a fast time. They started deep-frying shrimp. The Japanese ran with and developed it to perfection. This is “tempura,” again from the Latin term for the Ember Days "Quatuor Tempora".