View Full Version : Limpets are great!
Paddlinpostie
11-04-2010, 23:28
Hi all.
Went for a fantastic canoe paddle in Plymouth Sound today with some friends to enjoy the stunning summer we're having.
We ended up at a small beach only accessable from the sea, started a small fire and I collected some limpets from the millions on the surrounding rocks. I put these on a flat rock, covered with embers and waited....... OH MY GOD!!! they were delicious, a bit chewy but that's what teeth are for :lmao:
Only two others of the group of seven tried them, one thought they were lovely and the other one has been converted to beach foraging from this experience. Next thing you know she'll be wearing olive green! :D
No other reason for this post other than to shout about having a brilliant day and a new taste sensation........ mmmm might get hold of Walkers Crisps :red:
Cheers
Martin
Limpets are really underestimated as a food source. They're tasty and because they are grazers rather than filter feeders they are a much safer bet than mussels etc.
I kinda like them as well, I've definitely had more success with limpets than I have with mussels.
Paddlinpostie
11-04-2010, 23:59
I saw Big Bad Ray cooking them on one of his shows a while ago and have wanted to try them ever since.
Pity it was a pebble beach, no razor clams just lots and lots of large, juicy limpets....... my mouth is watering again!
I have seen the zillions of them on Pagham beech Sussex, wasn't sure of eating them because of the outfalls.
The Joker
12-04-2010, 10:48
I have seen the zillions of them on Pagham beech Sussex, wasn't sure of eating them because of the outfalls.
They're grazers not filter feeders so should be OK.
Im not keen on them...........Salty chewing gum:tongue-ti
If I make it to the coast this year I'll be giving this a go too.
marcusleftthesite
12-04-2010, 13:39
You should have a paddle up the Fowey,huge Oysters there ;)
Paddlinpostie
12-04-2010, 18:12
Hi Marcus
Hoping to paddle the Fowey at some point this year, maybe do an overnighter.
Any tips on the best way to cook oysters or is it best to eat them raw with champers? (SWMBO would love that)
marcusleftthesite
12-04-2010, 20:23
Hi Marcus
Hoping to paddle the Fowey at some point this year, maybe do an overnighter.
Any tips on the best way to cook oysters or is it best to eat them raw with champers? (SWMBO would love that)
To be honest I tried to eat one raw and it really was'nt my thing at all.According to Hugh Fearnly Whittingstall they are the finest he's ever tasted!!Lady friend of mine suggested plenty of lemon juice and down the hatch,personally if I ever try them again I'll bring them home and give them a rinse under the tap I'm not a lover of salt and they are really salty.I'll pm you the best spots.
could you fry the limpets ?
is there a way to make myself like them? when i tried them i had a hard time trying not to spit them out:yuck:
seems too much of a good reasource to not take advantage of.
pete
is there a way to make myself like them? when i tried them i had a hard time trying not to spit them out:yuck:
seems too much of a good reasource to not take advantage of.
pete
The best way is to stop eating with your eyes - they taste fine
Cheers
Nick
kennyboy
19-04-2010, 00:05
First post YAY!!!!
On 'River Cottage Gone Fishin' tonight Hugh (double-barrelled whatshisface) and friends where knocking limpets off the rocks, scooping them out and eating them raw, black 'heads' and all. Very tasty it seems.
He then went on to grill them, upsidedown in their shells, on the bbq with some parsley and garlic butter. Really gotta try this soon.
Whe I lived on Hayling Island near Portsmouth we used to get cockles from the flats by Langstone bridge and heading west from the bridge for the muscles and winkles
Asa Samuel
06-06-2010, 15:15
Sorry for digging up an old thread but I really fancy trying limpets!
Food for free mentions soaking them but I thought as they were grazers not filter feeders this was not neccessary?
Also, there are tons and tons of limpets down by the beach near me (and no 'orrible sewage pipes!) but I fancy cooking them on a flat rock covered in embers but everywhere I've found doesn't mention cooking times! Is there a way to tell when they are done?
Cheers!
Here you go mate, at about 5:00 ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF-G_1FsxuA
Dougster
06-06-2010, 15:57
Food for free mentions soaking them but I thought as they were grazers not filter feeders this was not neccessary?
Cheers!
I googled them when on holiday to find that soaking removes any gritty sediment, add salt to the soaking water to taste..
I couldn't tell you how they tasted as then the dog knocked over the bucket when I wasn't looking and peed on them.... It was from a very remote cove in Purbeck and I was not going to walk all the way back. Gutted.
I couldn't tell you how they tasted as then the dog knocked over the bucket when I wasn't looking and peed on them.... It was from a very remote cove in Purbeck and I was not going to walk all the way back. Gutted.
Don't worry, Rich - you wouldn't have noticed the difference! (Joking!!!!)
andybysea
06-06-2010, 16:41
Personnely do not like them,texture or taste, but there again im not to keen on most shellfish(except lobster),but most of the guys ive been beach camping with dont seem to mind them, Minstel off here was eating them raw when we were beach camping about 6 weeks ago being as they are grazer's, and he seemed to like them that way judging by the amount he ate,(i mentioned this to my brother who's a Marine biologist,and was told not really advisable).I have only ever tried them the hot rock in the fire method of cooking,then removing the black blob(gut sack)on top,but like i said not my cup-of-tea,they may be better added to something.
i love most seafood , but i dont like limpet's, they r like chewing a rubber band ..
not for me ...
i've only had them boiled (for too long might i add) and i liked the flavour but they were much too chewy, but i think that is most likely down to boiling them for too long. will have to try the flat rock idea, problem is my local beach is eastbourne which is a big tourist place so i'd get some odd looks having a fire going on the beach. oh well theyre only tourists :P
TJ
John Fenna
06-06-2010, 17:24
I am firmly in the "they are seemingly edible - but you gatta be reeeeeeel hungry" camp on thid one!
Asa Samuel
06-06-2010, 17:37
I am firmly in the "they are seemingly edible - but you gatta be reeeeeeel hungry" camp on thid one!
From reading your posts in the other limpet threads I know all about your views on limpets!
I've tried them several times. The first time being rather unimpressed, but every now and then I see someone like Mr Mears or Hugh FW enthusing over them and think I'll give them another go. Every time I do though I think; nice flavour, but texture like a pencil rubber.
ocean1975
24-06-2010, 10:12
I treid limpets for the fist time last weekend and got to say i like them.I put them in a small pan and cooked them on the fire for short time and they were good.
Limpets are one of my favourite shoreline forage-ables. I was out on the Ayrshire coast with a friend at the weekend there, fed him limpets for first time. Cooked simply, in their shells upside down in the embers until done. After the first batch he was off for more - another convert :D
The winkles were good too, boiled in a bit of salty water and picked out with a sewing needle, lovely.
Edit: Over-cooked they are a bit rubbery - but if you watch them and catch them at just right moment, they have bite but no more than properly cooked squid.
Limpets are one of my favourite shoreline forage-ables. I was out on the Ayrshire coast with a friend at the weekend there, fed him limpets for first time. Cooked simply, in their shells upside down in the embers until done. After the first batch he was off for more - another convert :D
The winkles were good too, boiled in a bit of salty water and picked out with a sewing needle, lovely.
Edit: Over-cooked they are a bit rubbery - but if you watch them and catch them at just right moment, they have bite but no more than properly cooked squid.
Andy, any idea how long it was they took, or what the 'ready' signs are? I've tried a couple and came to the conclusion, that they were over cooked. If I could get them softer, they certainly would be on my, eat a few more often list of wild foods.
Hard to say exactly Nag - it's more that when done they look cooked where they still looked uncooked a second or two ago - if you over-cook one and compare it with a fresh one - the fresh one looks a lot more moist. When it just loses that moist look leave 'em for 5 - 10 seconds more then remove carefully - leatherman pliers are handy but a set of freshly whittled green-wood tongs will work just as well. Also, I've found if you cook them shell point down then they retain much of the "juice" so don't turn as rubbery.
coastal survival
25-06-2010, 00:37
There is a short video clip that may be of interest to you on the subject of limpets and cooking shell fish. hope it helps. http://www.foragingcourses.com/edible-seashore
There is a short video clip that may be of interest to you on the subject of limpets and cooking shell fish. hope it helps. http://www.foragingcourses.com/edible-seashore
Thanks for that post re the edible seashore course - just booked the last place on it for tomorrow!
Thanks for that post re the edible seashore course - just booked the last place on it for tomorrow!
pretty sure its hte same course ..my ,mate is booked on short, bald, big nose ;)
Have fun
chickenofthewoods
25-06-2010, 16:10
I do them like this: Run a short sharp knifeblade round inside the shell to pop the little dude out, flip him over and quickly cut away the intestinal parts and head. Then you're left with just the meaty foot. Rinse to remove any black bits left from from the intestines and pop them into a bowl with some crushed garlic and fresh lemon juice (you could add a dash of tabasco if you like too). Leave for 20 minutes to marinade and meantime oil & heat up a heavy griddle pan. Pop the limpets onto the griddle, giving each side a minute or so (they curl very slightly). They should be firm textured - but not like tyre rubber - and succulent. I add them to paella and pasta dishes.
Minstrel
25-06-2010, 20:51
As mentioned by Andybysea I gave them a shot while beach camping. They were fine raw and better cooked :) I could definitely see them working in a paella...yeah. As an aside to this, I've been working on the beach near Prestatyn the last 7 weeks and have really got into eating Samphire (Glasswort) You can munch it raw but washed, cooked for 5 mins or so on my Trangia, and eaten with either lemon juice or butter and pepper...it's amazing..and prolific too.
chickenofthewoods
25-06-2010, 21:11
Funny you should mention marsh samphire, I've been out picking it today. Lightly streamed it's a fantastic veg, as is sea purslane which is fortunate as the two are often found in the same locations here. The simplest and best meal is fish cooked in paper with new spuds and samphire/sea purslane. A squeeze of lemon, a good blob of butter and a very light seasoning and you have heaven on a plate.
Minstrel
26-06-2010, 14:40
...
, as is sea purslane which is fortunate as the two are often found in the same locations here. The simplest and best meal is fish cooked in paper with new spuds and samphire/sea purslane.
Wicked...I had no idea I could eat Sea Purslane too...do you just eat the leaves? Raw or cooked? (Sorry for the thread hijack)