Since periwinkles are considered an invasive species, there are no regulations on harvesting them. They are small and time-consuming to eat, but they are truly delicious and make the perfect free snack from the sea. To eat them, simply steam them for about 3 to 4 minutes and then toss with some melted butter.
What Are Periwinkles?
Periwinkles and snails, though theyre not the same, are both gastropods that show up in so many of the great cuisines of the world—theres escargot, the bistro favorite of snails broiled in garlic butter; in some Asian cuisines theyre stir-fried over blazing fires; and in most coastal areas around the world, its common to simply boil periwinkles in seawater and eat them as is.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__assets_c__2010__09__20100914-nasty-bits-02-thumb-500x375-111602-51e84d13fb3c4feb99bf550a29dab0ce.jpg)
Periwinkles would also rank highly on the list of work-required-to-eat-versus-pleasure-obtained metrics. Seafood gourmands and chicken-feet gnawers probably know where Im going with this argument, but let me explain: Some of the food we love, like chicken feet and Dungeness crab, are well worth the effort involved to chew, peel, shell, spit, and in all other ways, manipulate our hands and our mouths to obtain what is delicious. Some items, like blue crab, depend on the eaters personal skill and preferences. Are you a first-rate sheller? Then blue crab should be no problem — youll have those suckers out of their carapaces in no time. Do you shell or eat things at the rate of your grandmother who has false teeth? Best to stick with porridge.
For champion gnawers and shellers, a whole world of delicious creatures becomes fair game. Hairy crabs, which come into season in China around this time of year, fall into this category. Youll need a lot of patience, though no greater skill, to tackle the diminutive size of these crustaceans.
How to Forage and Cook Periwinkles
FAQ
Is it safe to eat periwinkle?
What does a periwinkle taste like?
Are winkles safe to eat?
What’s the best way to cook periwinkles?
How do you eat a periwinkle?
Periwinkles on the other hand, require little patience but a considerable amount of know-how. To eat a periwinkle, you must bring the opening of the shell to your lips and suck: not too forcefully like a vacuum but not too gently, either. At first you’ll receive a slight rush of the oceanic juices within, as sweet and as ambrosial as can be.
Are periwinkles safe to eat?
Once they are cooked they are absolutely safe to eat. They are time-consuming to eat and to pull out of the shell but very delicious. Since periwinkles are usually eaten as an appetizer its not much you can add to it. Just get a nice juicy lemon and squeeze some right on top of each periwinkle right in the serving plate.
How to cook periwinkles?
Cooking periwinkles is simple. Just throw them in boiling water with a little salt for about seven minutes, drain, and remove the meat by stabbing with a toothpick or pin and pulling gently. Through tiny, the body is surprisingly long, ending in a curling tail that is usually coiled around the upper spiral of the shell.
Is Periwinkle meat healthy?
Despite their small size, periwinkle meat (and all snail meat) is packed with nutritional value. The protein content of their flesh rivals pork and beef but minus the fat, according to WebMD. Periwinkle meat is a great source of iron, calcium, vitamin A, and other minerals, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, just like their finned fish friends.