Tag: coast

Razor Clams

Seashore foraging

Thanks very much to the good people that joined us on our Seashore foraging walk on Saturday on the Dorset coast. They had a great time as we found:

  • A range of plants including delicious greens, expensive invaders and seriously DEADLY species.
  • A good number of types of edible seaweed.
  • Plenty of shellfish – both molluscs and crustaceans.

For most the highlights were the razor clams and the anticipation of what was in the pot – a remarkable 4 Shore crabs and 4 Spider crabs! Birthday-boy Mike got to take the razor clams home, and I had the Brown Shrimps and the biggest Spider Crab. Guess what I had for lunch today!

 

Razor clam
The salt is in the hole, water has bubbled up, the Razor clam starts to emerge, wait for it…

 

Razor Clams
Wait for it… you want a inch showing, then grab it between thumb and forefinger across the edges of the shell and pull…

 

Razor Clams
Cheer quietly or squeal with delight!!

 

Catching Razor Clams 1
More Razor Clams success.

 

Another Razor Clam
And another. I have to confiscate the salt after a while!

 

Cooked Razor Clams
Dinner for two
Glamorous assistant with the Shrimp net.
Glamorous assistant with the Shrimp net.

 

Spider Crab
Spider Crab

 

Cooked Spider Crab
Cooked Spider Crab

On the way home I picked some St George’s mushrooms which dried in the sun yesterday as did some Gutweed which the people on the course kindly gathered.

Drying St George's mushrooms
Drying St George’s mushrooms
Drying Gutweed (in the green house - a bit windy for outside!
Drying Gutweed (in the green house – a bit windy for outside!)

Yesterday, I hit the coast again and picked the below plus some Wild Rocket, Dulse and Carrageen.

Seashore basket - Alexanders, Fennel, Three-Cornered Leek, Sea Beet, Sea Purslane and Fairy Ring Champignon.
Seashore basket – Alexanders, Fennel, Three-Cornered Leek, Sea Beet, Sea Purslane and Fairy Ring Champignon.

Thanks to some of the course attendees for supplying photos.