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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for
them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work with clams as well? -- Donna A pessimist believes all women are bad. An optimist hopes they are. To reply, remove the SPAM BLOCK |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
On 12/04/2003 3:51 PM, in article
.net, "Donna Rose" > opined: > I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for > them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > > How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does > soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to > remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with > something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work > with clams as well? Cornmeal |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Believe it or not, some friends of mine who regularly collect mussels on
shore swear by the musselmatic - they put the mussels in a mesh bag and run them through a wash cycle in the washing machine. They say it takes the beards right off. -- Regards Louis Cohen Living la vida loca at N37° 43' 7.9" W122° 8' 42.8" "Donna Rose" > wrote in message hlink.net... > I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for > them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > > How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does > soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to > remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with > something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work > with clams as well? > > -- > Donna > A pessimist believes all women are bad. An optimist hopes they are. > > To reply, remove the SPAM BLOCK |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Donna Rose > wrote > I seem to
> remember something about oatmeal Cornmeal. |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
The way they do it commercially is to hang the clams in a porous sack in
salt water. The clams will refresh the water in their shells and spit out the sand. This takes 24 hours. I suppose you could just place them in a bucket of salt water and get the same results. |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Donna Rose wrote: > > I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for > them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > > How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does > soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to > remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with > something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work > with clams as well? > > -- > Donna Oatmeal is for land mollusks (snails)... But mom always used cornmeal instead. :-) For the sea critters, it's best to keep them alive and fasting for 2 or 3 days in salt water so that they can purge their systems of sand. A large basin in the refrigerator with salt water and a battery driven aerator worked for mom. The other alternative is to gut them. The sand is primarily in the gills and stomach. We used to clam for pismo clams (a type of long neck) and mom would put them in the crisper drawer in the 'frige for a couple of days in sea water to let them purge. The only sea mollusks we ever ate right away were Abalones. We used to live on the west coast. :-) K. -- >^,,^< Cats-haven Hobby Farm >^,,^< >^,,^< "There are millions of intelligent species in the universe, and they are all owned by cats" -- Asimov Custom handcrafts, Sterling silver beaded jewelry http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...s&userid=katra |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
> wrote in message ... > On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose > > wrote: > > >I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for > >them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > > > >How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does > >soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to > >remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with > >something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work > >with clams as well? > > Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely > for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider > eating them without doing so first. > > Sheena What do you soak them in? If fresh water it will kill them, so what do you use? |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
On 12/04/2003 8:56 PM, in article leUzb.431980$Fm2.433479@attbi_s04, "Louis
Cohen" > opined: > Believe it or not, some friends of mine who regularly collect mussels on > shore swear by the musselmatic - they put the mussels in a mesh bag and run > them through a wash cycle in the washing machine. They say it takes the > beards right off. I'm sure it does! Reminds me of an episode on food tv about cooking Salmon in the dishwasher! |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
On 12/05/2003 5:08 AM, in article ,
"LIMEYNO1" > opined: > > > wrote in message > ... >> On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose >> > wrote: >> >>> I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for >>> them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. >>> >>> How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does >>> soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to >>> remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with >>> something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work >>> with clams as well? >> >> Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely >> for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider >> eating them without doing so first. >> >> Sheena > > What do you soak them in? If fresh water it will kill them, so what do you > use? > > Make your own seawater 1 cup Kosher or sea salt to 1-1/2 gallons water. Fresh water will kill any shellfish quickly. |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
On 12/05/2003 6:51 AM, in article
, "dogsnus" > opined: > Katra > wrote in > : > > > >> To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... >> I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. >> >> Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge >> the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no >> food) to do this. > > My grandparents used to do this with abalone when we used to > visit the cabin in Bodega Bay. > My grandfather had a big wooden barrel he kept outside the cabin > to put them in and he'd flush the water twice a day until > he was ready to clean and cook them. > I don't know if this is proper or even the best way, but > I do know I hadn't thought about eating abalone in years. > >  > > Terri > > Unfortunately there are not enough left for you to eat :-( |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
The Wolf wrote: > > On 12/05/2003 6:51 AM, in article > , "dogsnus" > > opined: > > > Katra > wrote in > > : > > > > > > > >> To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... > >> I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. > >> > >> Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge > >> the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no > >> food) to do this. > > > > My grandparents used to do this with abalone when we used to > > visit the cabin in Bodega Bay. > > My grandfather had a big wooden barrel he kept outside the cabin > > to put them in and he'd flush the water twice a day until > > he was ready to clean and cook them. > > I don't know if this is proper or even the best way, but > > I do know I hadn't thought about eating abalone in years. > > > > > > > > Terri > > > > > Unfortunately there are not enough left for you to eat :-( They are farming them in barrels now. :-) K. -- >^,,^< Cats-haven Hobby Farm >^,,^< >^,,^< "There are millions of intelligent species in the universe, and they are all owned by cats" -- Asimov Custom handcrafts, Sterling silver beaded jewelry http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...s&userid=katra |
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Abalones (was How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?)
The Wolf wrote: > > On 12/05/2003 6:51 AM, in article > , "dogsnus" > > opined: > > > Katra > wrote in > > : > > > > > > > >> To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... > >> I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. > >> > >> Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge > >> the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no > >> food) to do this. > > > > My grandparents used to do this with abalone when we used to > > visit the cabin in Bodega Bay. > > My grandfather had a big wooden barrel he kept outside the cabin > > to put them in and he'd flush the water twice a day until > > he was ready to clean and cook them. > > I don't know if this is proper or even the best way, but > > I do know I hadn't thought about eating abalone in years. > > > > > > > > Terri > > > > > Unfortunately there are not enough left for you to eat :-( Go he http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...balone+farming K. -- >^,,^< Cats-haven Hobby Farm >^,,^< >^,,^< "There are millions of intelligent species in the universe, and they are all owned by cats" -- Asimov Custom handcrafts, Sterling silver beaded jewelry http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...s&userid=katra |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose
> wrote: >I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for >them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > >How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does >soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to >remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with >something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work >with clams as well? I usually buy farmed PEI mussels, rather than wild ones. That pretty much avoids the problem. Littleneck clams I do get from the fishermen, however. For the clams I start the soup part of things and when it is about four minutes from the end I zap the scrubbed clams in the microwave, starting with 3 minutes for a dozen clams. If they are not all small a few may need a little more time. I take the clams out into a warm dish, and carefully spoon the clam broth into the soup, leaving the dregs with any sand that is there. If any clam looks gritty inside, I rinse it under a faucet. When I have mixed in the clam broth and heated all to a simmer again, I dish out the soup and put the clams in a nice circle in each bowl. THis works fine doing dinner for two people. The zapping time gets longer with larger batches. It may be that only one or two of your mussels are gritty, and you may be able to spot which ones if you look at them, but when they are piled in the steaming pot it is hard to see. Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a The sound of a Great Blue Heron's wingbeats going by your head |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I think in the interest of not
ruining my Christmas-eve seafood lasagna. I'll try a couple of batches to see which of the suggested methods works best. -- Donna A pessimist believes all women are bad. An optimist hopes they are. To reply, remove the SPAM BLOCK |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Donna Rose > wrote:
> How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Yet another repost: Here is what Elizabeth David wrote in The Spectator in 1963 (republished in her 'An Omelette and a Glass of Wine'. <quote> .... Henri Pellaprat, teaching chef at the Cordon Bleu school in Paris, has an interesting theory. In _Le Poisson dans la Cuisine Française_ (Flammarion, 1954), he writes that most people go about the cleaning of mussels in a way calculated to put sand into them rather than to eliminate it; instead, he says, of first scraping them, one should begin by rinsing them in a quantity of cold water, turning them over and over and whirling them around. One by one you then take them out of the water and put them in a colander. Half of them will be clean already; those which are not must be scraped; as each is done, put in a bowl, but, and this is the crux of the matter, _without water_. Only when all are clean should water be run over the mussels; they should then be kept on the move, the water being changed continually until it is perfectly clear. The explanation given by Pellaprat for this routine is that, put into still water all at once, the mussels start opening; when they close up again, they have imprisoned within their shells the sand already in suspension in the water. In other words, explains M. Pellaprat, the more you keep the mussels moving, the more frightened they are; and the less inclination they will have to open. Ah well, possibly. It is worth paying attention to this theory, but it does mean that the mussels must be prepared immediately before cooking, which is certainly desirable, but not always practical. </quote> And here's what Patricia Wells writes in her 'Bistro Cooking': <quote> Tiny clams, in particular, tend to be very sandy. To degorge them, or rid them of the sand, soak them for 1 to 2 hours in salt water, dissolving 1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces, or 117 g) coarse sea salt per quart (liter) of water. </quote> Victor |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Katra wrote:
> > Donna Rose wrote: > >>In article >, says... >> >>>On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose > wrote: >>> >>> >>>>I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for >>>>them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. >>>> >>>>How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does >>>>soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to >>>>remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with >>>>something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work >>>>with clams as well? >>> >>>Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely >>>for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider >>>eating them without doing so first. >>> >>>Sheena >>> >> >>How much cornmeal? Say for three dozen mussels/clams. Cover with water >>and add, what? A couple of tablespoons? A cup? TIA >> >>-- >>Donna > > > To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... > I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. > > Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge > the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no > food) to do this. > > K. > As a sal****er fish/reef/coral keeper, here are my 2 cents: These mollusks need to be in a non tropical water temperature, with a SG which is similar to natural sea water; 1.020 to 1.023 (mind you these values are temp dependent.) So I would go with the higher end, since SG changes with higher and lower temp. Of course if you have a salinity meter, then you don't have to worry about temp control. The other thing this creatures need is water movement. Part of their extraction of O2 is through currents; let alone the fact that they are filter feeders, and need said current to obtain food (which I'm not going to get into, because it consists of a host of microscopic organisms.) So, it sounds not too practical to keep these creatures in the aforementioned conditions. My advice (and I've been doing this for years,) buy some sea salt (the synthetic one I use for my tanks is superfluous for this,) and a hydrometer. Mix with cold tap water, and measure the specific gravity so that it falls roughly with the aforementioned scale. DON'T add more water or salt to these creatures, because they are very sensitive to salinity fluctuations! Buy a cheap bubble stone and pump for your local pet store, and aerate them well. Keep them 24 to 48 hours, and they will purge their sand. When you rinse them in the end with cold fresh water (a shocking change in salinity), it doesn't matter because they are on their way to mussel heaven : ) HTH, R -- "..A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti..." Hannibal "The Cannibal" Silence Of The Lambs 1991 |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Richard Periut wrote: > > Katra wrote: > > > > Donna Rose wrote: > > > >>In article >, > says... > >> > >>>On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose > > wrote: > >>> > >>> > >>>>I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for > >>>>them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > >>>> > >>>>How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does > >>>>soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to > >>>>remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with > >>>>something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work > >>>>with clams as well? > >>> > >>>Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely > >>>for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider > >>>eating them without doing so first. > >>> > >>>Sheena > >>> > >> > >>How much cornmeal? Say for three dozen mussels/clams. Cover with water > >>and add, what? A couple of tablespoons? A cup? TIA > >> > >>-- > >>Donna > > > > > > To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... > > I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. > > > > Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge > > the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no > > food) to do this. > > > > K. > > > > As a sal****er fish/reef/coral keeper, here are my 2 cents: > > These mollusks need to be in a non tropical water temperature, with a SG > which is similar to natural sea water; 1.020 to 1.023 (mind you these > values are temp dependent.) So I would go with the higher end, since SG > changes with higher and lower temp. Of course if you have a salinity > meter, then you don't have to worry about temp control. > > The other thing this creatures need is water movement. Part of their > extraction of O2 is through currents; let alone the fact that they are > filter feeders, and need said current to obtain food (which I'm not > going to get into, because it consists of a host of microscopic organisms.) > > So, it sounds not too practical to keep these creatures in the > aforementioned conditions. > > My advice (and I've been doing this for years,) buy some sea salt (the > synthetic one I use for my tanks is superfluous for this,) and a > hydrometer. Mix with cold tap water, and measure the specific gravity so > that it falls roughly with the aforementioned scale. DON'T add more > water or salt to these creatures, because they are very sensitive to > salinity fluctuations! Buy a cheap bubble stone and pump for your local > pet store, and aerate them well. Keep them 24 to 48 hours, and they will > purge their sand. > > When you rinse them in the end with cold fresh water (a shocking change > in salinity), it doesn't matter because they are on their way to mussel > heaven : ) > > HTH, > > R > Excellent... :-) So where do we buy an sg meter? K. -- >^,,^< Cats-haven Hobby Farm >^,,^< >^,,^< "There are millions of intelligent species in the universe, and they are all owned by cats" -- Asimov Custom handcrafts, Sterling silver beaded jewelry http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...s&userid=katra |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
"Katra" > wrote in message ... > > > Richard Periut wrote: > > > > Katra wrote: > > > > > > Donna Rose wrote: > > > > > >>In article >, > > says... > > >> > > >>>On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose > > > wrote: > > >>> > > >>> > > >>>>I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for > > >>>>them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > > >>>> > > >>>>How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does > > >>>>soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to > > >>>>remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with > > >>>>something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work > > >>>>with clams as well? > > >>> > > >>>Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely > > >>>for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider > > >>>eating them without doing so first. > > >>> > > >>>Sheena > > >>> > > >> > > >>How much cornmeal? Say for three dozen mussels/clams. Cover with water > > >>and add, what? A couple of tablespoons? A cup? TIA > > >> > > >>-- > > >>Donna > > > > > > > > > To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... > > > I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. > > > > > > Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge > > > the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no > > > food) to do this. > > > > > > K. > > > > > > > As a sal****er fish/reef/coral keeper, here are my 2 cents: > > > > These mollusks need to be in a non tropical water temperature, with a SG > > which is similar to natural sea water; 1.020 to 1.023 (mind you these > > values are temp dependent.) So I would go with the higher end, since SG > > changes with higher and lower temp. Of course if you have a salinity > > meter, then you don't have to worry about temp control. > > > > The other thing this creatures need is water movement. Part of their > > extraction of O2 is through currents; let alone the fact that they are > > filter feeders, and need said current to obtain food (which I'm not > > going to get into, because it consists of a host of microscopic organisms.) > > > > So, it sounds not too practical to keep these creatures in the > > aforementioned conditions. > > > > My advice (and I've been doing this for years,) buy some sea salt (the > > synthetic one I use for my tanks is superfluous for this,) and a > > hydrometer. Mix with cold tap water, and measure the specific gravity so > > that it falls roughly with the aforementioned scale. DON'T add more > > water or salt to these creatures, because they are very sensitive to > > salinity fluctuations! Buy a cheap bubble stone and pump for your local > > pet store, and aerate them well. Keep them 24 to 48 hours, and they will > > purge their sand. > > > > When you rinse them in the end with cold fresh water (a shocking change > > in salinity), it doesn't matter because they are on their way to mussel > > heaven : ) > > > > HTH, > > > > R > > > > > Excellent... :-) > > So where do we buy an sg meter? > > K. > And you think all this rigamarole results in better tasting clams than just dumping in a tablespoon of corn meal in some salt water? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Jack Complicated |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose
> wrote: >I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for >them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > >How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does >soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to >remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with >something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work >with clams as well? I suppose this method my Dad uses on Clams would work for Mussels too! Just leave them in a bucket of the water they live in for twenty four hours. During that time they will open and close their shells and expell sand. Regards, Bill |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
wrote: > > On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 02:56:00 GMT, Richard Periut > > wrote: > > >Katra wrote: > >> > >> Donna Rose wrote: > >> > >>>In article >, > says... > >>> > >>>>On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose > > wrote: > >>>> > >>>> > >>>>>I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for > >>>>>them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > >>>>> > >>>>>How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does > >>>>>soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to > >>>>>remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with > >>>>>something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work > >>>>>with clams as well? > >>>> > >>>>Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely > >>>>for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider > >>>>eating them without doing so first. > >>>> > >>>>Sheena > >>>> > >>> > >>>How much cornmeal? Say for three dozen mussels/clams. Cover with water > >>>and add, what? A couple of tablespoons? A cup? TIA > >>> > >>>-- > >>>Donna > >> > >> > >> To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... > >> I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. > >> > >> Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge > >> the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no > >> food) to do this. > >> > >> K. > >> > > > >As a sal****er fish/reef/coral keeper, here are my 2 cents: > > > >These mollusks need to be in a non tropical water temperature, with a SG > >which is similar to natural sea water; 1.020 to 1.023 (mind you these > >values are temp dependent.) So I would go with the higher end, since SG > >changes with higher and lower temp. Of course if you have a salinity > >meter, then you don't have to worry about temp control. > > > >The other thing this creatures need is water movement. Part of their > >extraction of O2 is through currents; let alone the fact that they are > >filter feeders, and need said current to obtain food (which I'm not > >going to get into, because it consists of a host of microscopic organisms.) > > > >So, it sounds not too practical to keep these creatures in the > >aforementioned conditions. > > > >My advice (and I've been doing this for years,) buy some sea salt (the > >synthetic one I use for my tanks is superfluous for this,) and a > >hydrometer. Mix with cold tap water, and measure the specific gravity so > >that it falls roughly with the aforementioned scale. DON'T add more > >water or salt to these creatures, because they are very sensitive to > >salinity fluctuations! Buy a cheap bubble stone and pump for your local > >pet store, and aerate them well. Keep them 24 to 48 hours, and they will > >purge their sand. > > > >When you rinse them in the end with cold fresh water (a shocking change > >in salinity), it doesn't matter because they are on their way to mussel > >heaven : ) > > > >HTH, > > > >R > That's very technical - I just put them in a large container of sea > water (clearly one could make it if not by the sea) sprinkle a > generous quantity of cornmeal on the top and leave them overnight. In > the morning they are quite a sight with all the funnels sticking out. > I shake the container while standing clear and when they are all done > squirting, I drain the water, wash them off and proceed. > > They don't seem to need more than overnight and it is very rare any > have been sandy after that. I have been doing this for at least 30 > years and all is well. > > Sheena See, this is the first time anyone has said to stand them in sea water, THEN add the cornmeal! :-) Sounds similar to purging Escargot then. I'll have to give this a shot... Clams normally eat plankton, but I guess they LIKE cornmeal if they are sticking out there mouths to consume it??? K. -- >^,,^< Cats-haven Hobby Farm >^,,^< >^,,^< "There are millions of intelligent species in the universe, and they are all owned by cats" -- Asimov Custom handcrafts, Sterling silver beaded jewelry http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...s&userid=katra |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Katra wrote:
> > Richard Periut wrote: > >>Katra wrote: >> >>>Donna Rose wrote: >>> >>> >>>>In article >, says... >>>> >>>> >>>>>On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose > wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for >>>>>>them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. >>>>>> >>>>>>How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does >>>>>>soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to >>>>>>remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with >>>>>>something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work >>>>>>with clams as well? >>>>> >>>>>Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely >>>>>for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider >>>>>eating them without doing so first. >>>>> >>>>>Sheena >>>>> >>>> >>>>How much cornmeal? Say for three dozen mussels/clams. Cover with water >>>>and add, what? A couple of tablespoons? A cup? TIA >>>> >>>>-- >>>>Donna >>> >>> >>>To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... >>>I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. >>> >>>Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge >>>the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no >>>food) to do this. >>> >>>K. >>> >> >>As a sal****er fish/reef/coral keeper, here are my 2 cents: >> >>These mollusks need to be in a non tropical water temperature, with a SG >>which is similar to natural sea water; 1.020 to 1.023 (mind you these >>values are temp dependent.) So I would go with the higher end, since SG >>changes with higher and lower temp. Of course if you have a salinity >>meter, then you don't have to worry about temp control. >> >>The other thing this creatures need is water movement. Part of their >>extraction of O2 is through currents; let alone the fact that they are >>filter feeders, and need said current to obtain food (which I'm not >>going to get into, because it consists of a host of microscopic organisms.) >> >>So, it sounds not too practical to keep these creatures in the >>aforementioned conditions. >> >>My advice (and I've been doing this for years,) buy some sea salt (the >>synthetic one I use for my tanks is superfluous for this,) and a >>hydrometer. Mix with cold tap water, and measure the specific gravity so >>that it falls roughly with the aforementioned scale. DON'T add more >>water or salt to these creatures, because they are very sensitive to >>salinity fluctuations! Buy a cheap bubble stone and pump for your local >>pet store, and aerate them well. Keep them 24 to 48 hours, and they will >>purge their sand. >> >>When you rinse them in the end with cold fresh water (a shocking change >>in salinity), it doesn't matter because they are on their way to mussel >>heaven : ) >> >>HTH, >> >>R >> > > > > Excellent... :-) > > So where do we buy an sg meter? > > K. > > Local pet shop (5 bucks.) -- "..A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti..." Hannibal "The Cannibal" Silence Of The Lambs 1991 |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Jack Schidt® wrote:
> "Katra" > wrote in message > ... > >> >>Richard Periut wrote: >> >>>Katra wrote: >>> >>>>Donna Rose wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>>>In article >, says... >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose > wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>>I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth >>>>>> > for > >>>>>>>them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? >>>>>> > Does > >>>>>>>soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to >>>>>>>remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with >>>>>>>something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method >>>>>> > work > >>>>>>>with clams as well? >>>>>> >>>>>>Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely >>>>>>for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider >>>>>>eating them without doing so first. >>>>>> >>>>>>Sheena >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>How much cornmeal? Say for three dozen mussels/clams. Cover with >>>> > water > >>>>>and add, what? A couple of tablespoons? A cup? TIA >>>>> >>>>>-- >>>>>Donna >>>> >>>> >>>>To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... >>>>I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. >>>> >>>>Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge >>>>the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no >>>>food) to do this. >>>> >>>>K. >>>> >>> >>>As a sal****er fish/reef/coral keeper, here are my 2 cents: >>> >>>These mollusks need to be in a non tropical water temperature, with a SG >>>which is similar to natural sea water; 1.020 to 1.023 (mind you these >>>values are temp dependent.) So I would go with the higher end, since SG >>>changes with higher and lower temp. Of course if you have a salinity >>>meter, then you don't have to worry about temp control. >>> >>>The other thing this creatures need is water movement. Part of their >>>extraction of O2 is through currents; let alone the fact that they are >>>filter feeders, and need said current to obtain food (which I'm not >>>going to get into, because it consists of a host of microscopic >> > organisms.) > >>>So, it sounds not too practical to keep these creatures in the >>>aforementioned conditions. >>> >>>My advice (and I've been doing this for years,) buy some sea salt (the >>>synthetic one I use for my tanks is superfluous for this,) and a >>>hydrometer. Mix with cold tap water, and measure the specific gravity so >>>that it falls roughly with the aforementioned scale. DON'T add more >>>water or salt to these creatures, because they are very sensitive to >>>salinity fluctuations! Buy a cheap bubble stone and pump for your local >>>pet store, and aerate them well. Keep them 24 to 48 hours, and they will >>>purge their sand. >>> >>>When you rinse them in the end with cold fresh water (a shocking change >>>in salinity), it doesn't matter because they are on their way to mussel >>>heaven : ) >>> >>>HTH, >>> >>>R >>> >> >> >>Excellent... :-) >> >>So where do we buy an sg meter? >> >>K. >> > > > > And you think all this rigamarole results in better tasting clams than just > dumping in a tablespoon of corn meal in some salt water? > AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! > > Jack Complicated > > Well I guess you don't care about eating sand. -- "..A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti..." Hannibal "The Cannibal" Silence Of The Lambs 1991 |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Richard Periut wrote: > > Katra wrote: > > > > wrote: > > > >>On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 02:56:00 GMT, Richard Periut > > >>wrote: > >> > >> > >>>Katra wrote: > >>> > >>>>Donna Rose wrote: > >>>> > >>>> > >>>>>In article >, > says... > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>>>On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose > > wrote: > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>>>I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for > >>>>>>>them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does > >>>>>>>soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to > >>>>>>>remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with > >>>>>>>something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work > >>>>>>>with clams as well? > >>>>>> > >>>>>>Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely > >>>>>>for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider > >>>>>>eating them without doing so first. > >>>>>> > >>>>>>Sheena > >>>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>>How much cornmeal? Say for three dozen mussels/clams. Cover with water > >>>>>and add, what? A couple of tablespoons? A cup? TIA > >>>>> > >>>>>-- > >>>>>Donna > >>>> > >>>> > >>>>To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... > >>>>I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. > >>>> > >>>>Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge > >>>>the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no > >>>>food) to do this. > >>>> > >>>>K. > >>>> > >>> > >>>As a sal****er fish/reef/coral keeper, here are my 2 cents: > >>> > >>>These mollusks need to be in a non tropical water temperature, with a SG > >>>which is similar to natural sea water; 1.020 to 1.023 (mind you these > >>>values are temp dependent.) So I would go with the higher end, since SG > >>>changes with higher and lower temp. Of course if you have a salinity > >>>meter, then you don't have to worry about temp control. > >>> > >>>The other thing this creatures need is water movement. Part of their > >>>extraction of O2 is through currents; let alone the fact that they are > >>>filter feeders, and need said current to obtain food (which I'm not > >>>going to get into, because it consists of a host of microscopic organisms.) > >>> > >>>So, it sounds not too practical to keep these creatures in the > >>>aforementioned conditions. > >>> > >>>My advice (and I've been doing this for years,) buy some sea salt (the > >>>synthetic one I use for my tanks is superfluous for this,) and a > >>>hydrometer. Mix with cold tap water, and measure the specific gravity so > >>>that it falls roughly with the aforementioned scale. DON'T add more > >>>water or salt to these creatures, because they are very sensitive to > >>>salinity fluctuations! Buy a cheap bubble stone and pump for your local > >>>pet store, and aerate them well. Keep them 24 to 48 hours, and they will > >>>purge their sand. > >>> > >>>When you rinse them in the end with cold fresh water (a shocking change > >>>in salinity), it doesn't matter because they are on their way to mussel > >>>heaven : ) > >>> > >>>HTH, > >>> > >>>R > >> > >>That's very technical - I just put them in a large container of sea > >>water (clearly one could make it if not by the sea) sprinkle a > >>generous quantity of cornmeal on the top and leave them overnight. In > >>the morning they are quite a sight with all the funnels sticking out. > >>I shake the container while standing clear and when they are all done > >>squirting, I drain the water, wash them off and proceed. > >> > >>They don't seem to need more than overnight and it is very rare any > >>have been sandy after that. I have been doing this for at least 30 > >>years and all is well. > >> > >>Sheena > > > > > > > > See, this is the first time anyone has said to stand them in sea water, > > THEN add the cornmeal! :-) Sounds similar to purging Escargot then. > > > > I'll have to give this a shot... Clams normally eat plankton, but I > > guess they LIKE cornmeal if they are sticking out there mouths to > > consume it??? > > > > K. > > > > Absolutely not! That's why they starve in inexperienced hands that keep > them. They are filter feeders, and they need the proper sized particles. > > Richard > Okay... but we are talking about mollusks to EAT, not to keep as pets. :-) I've found whole sandcrabs inside of some of the larger razor clams that we used to dig in California. Those intake vents can be pretty large. Surely cornmeal particles are small enough? Just out of curiosity tho', what DO you feed the ones that you keep in a seawater aquarium? And what would you feed a sea sponge? Brine shrimps? K. -- >^,,^< Cats-haven Hobby Farm >^,,^< >^,,^< "There are millions of intelligent species in the universe, and they are all owned by cats" -- Asimov Custom handcrafts, Sterling silver beaded jewelry http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...s&userid=katra |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
Katra wrote:
> > Richard Periut wrote: > >>Katra wrote: >> wrote: >>> >>> >>>>On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 02:56:00 GMT, Richard Periut > >>>>wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>>Katra wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>Donna Rose wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>>In article >, says... >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>>On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 23:51:37 GMT, Donna Rose > wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>I bought a batch of mussels recently and made a fantastic wine broth for >>>>>>>>>them. They were delicious, but they were a bit gritty. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>How does one assure that all the sand is removed prior to serving? Does >>>>>>>>>soaking them in sal****er for any length of time help? I seem to >>>>>>>>>remember something about oatmeal, but maybe I'm confusing this with >>>>>>>>>something else. Anybody have any ideas? And, would the same method work >>>>>>>>>with clams as well? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>Yes, but cornmeal is better. It also helps to plump them up nicely >>>>>>>>for the kill. I leave mine to soak overnight, I would not consider >>>>>>>>eating them without doing so first. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>Sheena >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>How much cornmeal? Say for three dozen mussels/clams. Cover with water >>>>>>>and add, what? A couple of tablespoons? A cup? TIA >>>>>>> >>>>>>>-- >>>>>>>Donna >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>To purge salt water mollusks, they have to be kept alive... >>>>>>I just re-checked with dad since it's been a few years. >>>>>> >>>>>>Just keep them alive in sea water for 2 or 3 days and they will purge >>>>>>the sand from their systems on their own. They are kept fasting (no >>>>>>food) to do this. >>>>>> >>>>>>K. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>As a sal****er fish/reef/coral keeper, here are my 2 cents: >>>>> >>>>>These mollusks need to be in a non tropical water temperature, with a SG >>>>>which is similar to natural sea water; 1.020 to 1.023 (mind you these >>>>>values are temp dependent.) So I would go with the higher end, since SG >>>>>changes with higher and lower temp. Of course if you have a salinity >>>>>meter, then you don't have to worry about temp control. >>>>> >>>>>The other thing this creatures need is water movement. Part of their >>>>>extraction of O2 is through currents; let alone the fact that they are >>>>>filter feeders, and need said current to obtain food (which I'm not >>>>>going to get into, because it consists of a host of microscopic organisms.) >>>>> >>>>>So, it sounds not too practical to keep these creatures in the >>>>>aforementioned conditions. >>>>> >>>>>My advice (and I've been doing this for years,) buy some sea salt (the >>>>>synthetic one I use for my tanks is superfluous for this,) and a >>>>>hydrometer. Mix with cold tap water, and measure the specific gravity so >>>>>that it falls roughly with the aforementioned scale. DON'T add more >>>>>water or salt to these creatures, because they are very sensitive to >>>>>salinity fluctuations! Buy a cheap bubble stone and pump for your local >>>>>pet store, and aerate them well. Keep them 24 to 48 hours, and they will >>>>>purge their sand. >>>>> >>>>>When you rinse them in the end with cold fresh water (a shocking change >>>>>in salinity), it doesn't matter because they are on their way to mussel >>>>>heaven : ) >>>>> >>>>>HTH, >>>>> >>>>>R >>>> >>>>That's very technical - I just put them in a large container of sea >>>>water (clearly one could make it if not by the sea) sprinkle a >>>>generous quantity of cornmeal on the top and leave them overnight. In >>>>the morning they are quite a sight with all the funnels sticking out. >>>>I shake the container while standing clear and when they are all done >>>>squirting, I drain the water, wash them off and proceed. >>>> >>>>They don't seem to need more than overnight and it is very rare any >>>>have been sandy after that. I have been doing this for at least 30 >>>>years and all is well. >>>> >>>>Sheena >>> >>> >>> >>>See, this is the first time anyone has said to stand them in sea water, >>>THEN add the cornmeal! :-) Sounds similar to purging Escargot then. >>> >>>I'll have to give this a shot... Clams normally eat plankton, but I >>>guess they LIKE cornmeal if they are sticking out there mouths to >>>consume it??? >>> >>>K. >>> >> >>Absolutely not! That's why they starve in inexperienced hands that keep >>them. They are filter feeders, and they need the proper sized particles. >> >>Richard >> > > > Okay... but we are talking about mollusks to EAT, not to keep as pets. > :-) I've found whole sandcrabs inside of some of the larger razor clams > that we used to dig in California. Those intake vents can be pretty > large. Surely cornmeal particles are small enough? > > Just out of curiosity tho', what DO you feed the ones that you keep in a > seawater aquarium? And what would you feed a sea sponge? Brine shrimps? > > K. > Hi, I was refering to the other poster which stated that they eat the cornmeal. Sponges are filter feeders. I feed my filter feeders Golden Pearls, and a special Tahini blend of algae. The Golden Pearls are merely rotifer larvae consisiting of 100 microns in diameter. I mix it with some of my tank's water, and using a turkey baster, feed my corals, clams (blue lipped, not the stuff from the supermarkets,) and feather dusters. I do this every three days, and they are thriving. Richard -- "..A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti..." Hannibal "The Cannibal" Silence Of The Lambs 1991 |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
This whole lengthy thread about trying to get the sand out of mussels
has wandered off into rather silly theoretical territory. Here's as much as can be done: wash them in a bucket or bowl with cold tap water with a brush and pull the beards. Drain that water (there'll be a good bit of sand in it.) and refill. Let them sit in the water for 20 minutes or a half hour and drain. Repeat as a quick rinse. Cook. All that corn meal and salinity meter stuff is cute to talk about, but it's nonsense. No matter how you cook mussels, there'll be sand in the bottom of the pot. Don't eat that part. Pastorio |
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
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How Do I Remove Sand from Mollusks?
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