Scallops today, tomorrow and forever...
Posted: Wednesday, 21 March 2007 |
We got a heck of a haul of scallops yesterday, from the sea bed off Berneray. 70 grabbed by one person in 30 minutes.
So there they all are, laid out on the kitchen table. And very angry about it, snapping away and spitting water and watnots at anything that comes close.
Not as angry as they'd be if they knew the fate that was shortly to befall them.
They're odd, and quite alien, creatures to look at close up. This was the source of much debate, on how much of a plant they were and how much of an animal. Decided in the end, with their slowly opening and quickly snapping jaws, that they were a close aquatic relative of the Venus Fly Trap.
They're also not too pleasant to look at when you realise that you'll be eating some of that later. The more squeamish people are spared further pictures of scallops; there are more pictures of for braver people.
Still, that's several meals for us, some in the freezer, and some given away to others around Berneray. Amazing what you can find, that's edible, just beyond the bottom of your garden.
So there they all are, laid out on the kitchen table. And very angry about it, snapping away and spitting water and watnots at anything that comes close.
Not as angry as they'd be if they knew the fate that was shortly to befall them.
They're odd, and quite alien, creatures to look at close up. This was the source of much debate, on how much of a plant they were and how much of an animal. Decided in the end, with their slowly opening and quickly snapping jaws, that they were a close aquatic relative of the Venus Fly Trap.
They're also not too pleasant to look at when you realise that you'll be eating some of that later. The more squeamish people are spared further pictures of scallops; there are more pictures of for braver people.
Still, that's several meals for us, some in the freezer, and some given away to others around Berneray. Amazing what you can find, that's edible, just beyond the bottom of your garden.
Comments
Lucky you! Great photos too! No. 3 looks like an advancing army...
Anne from IBHQ
you lucky guy over here they cost a fortune
carolfeeling hungry from france
Whoaa! Lucky you!! Enjoy yourself.
mjc from NM,USA
as you said diggy,it is amazing what you can find to eat at the bottom of the garden- in front of my house three hares have crossed the ground to go to the vines were but which got dug out at the weekend,and mummy partridge and her offspring walking passed my frenchwindows-the mutts tail is wiggle-waggling madly
carol from france
Had similar luck on the Stornowegian mudflats yesterday, although not as many.
Arnish Lighthouse from Stornoway
Oh meeaow lovely lovely juicy squishy bonny bivalves......
Flying Cat from dribblingalloverthejoint
ooh luvverly, and female staff is awfy envious too, i sense a trip to one of the chinese supermarkets in the offing....
mia from salivating elegantly
70 scallops for free, I hope you measured them to ensure they were of an acceptable size for keeping. By my reckoning at 10 to the plate tats dinner for 6 with a few seconds. Could Carol supply a nice Entre deux Mers or a Muscadet? You probably had a very low ebb, the tides have been at their bi-annual maximum range over the last couple of . Here the delicacy of the moment is spoots (razor fish) I watched folk out on the beach below work 2 days ago heads down in 50 knot gusts from the north and snow showers. Just trying to gather edible rubber. I think I'd take the scallops anyday.
Hyper-Borean from Malacology Mansion
They look like raw eggs in sea shells mmm Going to ask some daft questions now as an ignorant ex towney who likes the look of finding lovelys like that......Where on the beach will i find them? Is it only when the tide is very low that they can be found(low as it was today i mean?) Am i allowed to just go and get my own from the beach down the road(if i can find them there)or any public beach? Are they to be found on all beaches or just some?? Do i have to dig for them or are they just on top of the sand??(wishful thinking LOL) How do you prepare them? Do you cook them in there shells like muscles? If you do cook them in shells are they bad if they don't open(like muscles)? Are there any bits you can't eat? Do you freeze them before or after you cook them? How do you cook them after you've frozen them? How do you know if you have a bad one? I know i can go get a book but nothing like local knowledge to get something at it's best....:-) See, told you, many dumb questions, but i am genuinly interested.
tanith from point
The second snap reminds me of bathroom wallpaper we used to have. Lightly fried egg in a shell anyone?
Annie B from the usual
Those shells look very much like the Siamese cats' hats in illustrated Growltiger (a wonderful children's book on cats - where the real life of cats is revealed in all its goriness). Carol said to tell you that she would like to have some sent to her in France, pre-paid: she'll need to celebrate when Sarkozy wins.
mjc from NM,USA
To hb: i suggest a picpoul de pinet.. To mjc: if sarkozy wins i GIVE my n,ew house away and emigrate definatley to nz!!
carol from france
Carol old gal, let's get the papers ready. Off to Orbitz so I can book my flight. FREE house, cheap flight: what more can a poor American want? A nice bottle of wine and truffle omelet with a fresh baguette perhaps. If Sarkozy does not win, my name is Janos.
mjc from NM,USA
mjc: anytime you and the missus want to come over and anyone else on ib for that matter you more than welcome
carol from withasoreback
I'm just very jealous! I fed a Japanese visitor scallops recently and she was just awetruck at the quality of our local Scottish produce...and the good prices too. Back garden-- I get roe deer walking through it, and rabbits, but I dont really fancy killing one to eat, a bit too much like eating a pet, they are so tame. Heres some pics taken - in some cases, from my back garden http://www.paperclip.org.uk/kilsythweb/Environment/roe_deer.htm - and turn the volume down, there are some deer barking soundtracks to cope with too!
Rob from Kilsyth
Did anyone ever give tanith the info about how to cook/eat scallops? they are nice fried with bacon accompanied with a cheese sauce with some nice white wine or whatever.
Upsouth1 from i'm jealous you lucky sod
The stuff of dreams, nightmares, and inhaling too much smoke from a peat fire.
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