You can use parsley as 'bitter herbs,' which is what we did. Not the most pleasant thing to eat, but not exactly unpalatable. I've heard of some people using celery. That feels like cheating.
I think that may be what the idea was, but they definitely meant just regular celery because the conversation, which had happened a couple of times with guests when I was a kid, was along the lines of "why are you using parsley? Celery is so much nicer!"
You can use parsley as 'bitter herbs,' which is what we did. Not the most pleasant thing to eat, but not exactly unpalatable. I've heard of some people using celery. That feels like cheating.
If fish isn't meat to the Catholics then why shouldn't celery be a bitter herb
Beaver, armadillo, alligator and capybara are all also fish according to the Catholic church.
https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/local/2023/02/20/whats-seafood-for-lent-alligator-beaver-and-armadillo-make-the-cut/69922902007/
So yeah, Jews definitely don't have the monopoly on this stuff.
Celery leaves specifically would probably be what they meant. You can actually use them as a substitute for parsley in cooking!
I think that may be what the idea was, but they definitely meant just regular celery because the conversation, which had happened a couple of times with guests when I was a kid, was along the lines of "why are you using parsley? Celery is so much nicer!"