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Tabasco Residents Chow Down on Endangered Turtles for Lent

This little guy is a member of an endangered species of turtle called pochitoque, and he is what's for dinner. Pochitoque is one of the most popular dishes for locals of the northern Mexican city of Tabasco for the Christian tradition of Lent. The turtles are captured and prepared by first removing the meat from the shell and carefully washing it. Local foods, such as parsley, chaya, green bananas and corn flour play a large role in Pochitoque dishes. Lent occurs on Ash Wednesday, the day after Fat Tuesday, and typically lasts for about six weeks until Easter Sunday. Many Christians traditionally observe Lent by giving up luxuries they can live without. Some Christians commit to eating a special diet during the Lenten period. Tabasco residents, many of whom are ardent Roman Catholics, typically prepare the Pochitoque turtle to mark the time. One traditional method of eating the Pochitoque for Lent in Tabasco is to prepare the turtle meat in a soup and serve it inside the shell. Although observed by Christians today, the dish is thought to originate from the Mayans and is an important part of Mexico's cultural heritage. Would you ever consider trying Pochitoque?