Are you a seafood lover, like myself?
Maybe you have tried and enjoyed staple seafood dishes like octopus, squid, shrimp, lobster, oyster, salmon, cods and other goody catch from the sea. But, have you ever tried the “candy of the sea”, namely the scallops?
Even if you are just starting to love different seafood goodness or simply not a fan of seafood dishes, the appealing chunks of bivalve goodness is to die for!
With that, you might be wondering:
Well, allow me to describe the heavenly goodness to you!
But, first…
What are Scallops?
Scallops are mollusks with delicate and soft texture. And it is this particular quality of food that most people crave for, even for those who are not fond of seafood.
Another thing is that scallops have the most common shells that you can see out there. Those seashells that you might have spotted at the beach have probably come from these sea creatures.
Nutrient Facts
Scallops serve as a good source of protein and omega-3. Plus they do not have saturated fat, unlike meat. Scallops are low in calorie and you will be glad to know that a single gram of scallops only gives you 1 calorie.
Scallops are also rich in nutrients like:
3 Varieties of Scallops
1. Sea Scallops
Sea scallops can be 2 inches in diameter large. The best thing about this variety of scallops is that they are always available throughout the year. This is why, among the 3 varieties, sea scallops are the most popular.
2. Bay Scallops
Bay Scallops are comparatively smaller than sea scallops. This variety is also much more aesthetically pleasing than sea scallops. However, they are only found from October to March.
3. Calico Scallops
This variety is only available in the month of December until May. Calico Scallops grow in the US Gulf coasts and Southern Atlantic coasts. The appearance of calico scallops is pretty much the same as the other two. The only difference is that their shells are perfectly sealed a slightly milder in terms of flavor.
What Do Scallops Taste Like?
And now the big question…
What do these bivalves taste like?
As I have mentioned earlier, scallops are called the “candy of the sea”. This is due to its unique taste and rich flavor that is not so common for seafood varieties.
Moreover, scallops are usually described as similar to lobster or crab, but firmer. They have a distinct taste that is slightly fishy, yet not that overpowering.
They offer a distinct taste, however, its texture is what makes them enticing and interesting. Scallops are chewy and soft but not tough and rubbery when properly cooked. They also tend to change in character and gives you a meatier, grilled taste that everyone loves.
Tips in Choosing Only the Freshest Scallops
4 Ways to Cook Scallops
There are various ways to cook scallops, however, the most common cooking methods involve cooking them in high heat in just a short amount of time.
1. Pan-seared or Sautéed
One of the most common methods of cooking fresh scallops, sautéed or pan-seared scallops are favored by many since it is quite fast and convenient. Searing scallops will give them a golden brown crust which brings an additional caramelized flavor.
2. Deep-fried
You can deep fry just about every food, and scallops are not an exception. A batter mixture of egg, salt, sugar, flour, water and cooking oil can make crisp, golden scallops! So, forget fried fish for dinner— try deep-fried scallops and chips instead!
3. Grilled
There is nothing like the heavenly smoky taste and smell of grilled food. And believe it or not, scallops are a great candidate for BBQs, as long as you do not overcook them. The most popular way of grilling scallops is to skewer them along with ingredients like fruits and vegetables.
4. Broiled
If you want a healthier option, then broiled scallops are your best bet. It is easy and takes only about 10 minutes or less to cook. Putting scallops and skewer and brushing some melted butter and a sprinkle of seasoning should give you a clean, yummy, and flavorful broiled scallops.
Chewy Thoughts:
Perhaps, you might be fully dressed right now and ready to get to the nearest seaport, so you can buy this heavenly sea goodness in big batches!
Scallops are delicious, sweet-flavored sea goodness that will surely become a part of your daily diet once you have tasted them. So, give them a chance, shall we?
I hope you find this article helpful! Do you have any question or a yummy scallop recipe? Don’t forget to share the goodness and fire up the comment section below!
Until then, have a sweet, chewy day!
The post What Do Scallops Taste Like? Understanding the Bivalve Goodness Under the Sea appeared first on Cooky Mom.
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