You obviously haven’t tried scallops, right? Otherwise, why would you want to know what do scallops taste like?
But I have. So I’m going to provide you with all the answers related to one of the healthiest seafood items, scallops. The thing about seafood is that it contains a high content of vitamin B, iron, protein, omega-3, and much more. This is the primary reason why we include it in our daily diet, isn’t it?
Seafood includes octopus, shrimp, crab, oysters, and scallops to name a few. So do scallops taste like shrimp or crab or any other seafood item? Let’s find out everything we need to about scallops.
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Scallops: What are They?
Scallops are nothing but mollusks with a delicate, sweet flavor and soft texture. And it’s this particular quality of the food that people crave the most, even those that dislike seafood.
Scallops serve as an excellent source of omega-3 and protein. And they don’t contain saturated fat, unlike meat. They also offer other nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B. Scallops have low-calorie content as well. You will be glad to know that 1 gram of scallops gives you a single calorie only.
Another thing you probably don’t know is that scallops have the most common shells you see out there. The popular seashells that you always spot at the beach have probably come from scallops.
Scallops: What Are The Different Types?
There are three different types of scallops.
1. Sea Scallops – These types of scallops are as large as 2 inches in diameter. The best thing about sea scallops is that they are available throughout the year. And this is the reason why sea scallops are the most popular lot.
2. Bay Scallops – These kinds are comparatively sweeter and smaller than the previous ones. They are also aesthetically pleasing, much more than sea scallops. But bay scallops are only found from the months of October till March.
3. Calico Scallops – These are available in the months spanning from December till May. The thing about calico scallops is that they grow in the Southern Atlantic and US golf coasts.
The appearance of calico scallops is the same as the other two types. The only difference here is that calico scallops offer a slightly milder flavor and their shells are sealed perfectly.
Scallops: How to Cook Them?
Scallops are not only easy mollusk to find, but they are also versatile in terms of cooking.
When preparing scallops, you can choose to stir-fry, bake, grill, broil, and sauté them. And we all know how easy it is to cook this way.
But there is one thing that you need to keep in mind while cooking scallops. They tend to overcook quickly. And this gives them a chewy, rubbery texture, which is not something that anyone would enjoy. So it’s important to keep a constant check on them to avoid overcooking.
Cooking Perfect Scallops – Gordon Ramsay
What do Scallops Taste Like?
Scallops are mollusks, right? They consist of muscle, and that makes them easy to chew when cooked.
So what do scallops taste like? They offer a distinct taste that’s slightly fishy but not too overwhelming.
Now let’s compare the taste of scallops to other foods that you’ve already tried. Scallops have an almond-like flavor with a nutty hazelnut-like taste. When compared to oysters or other mollusks, they offer a milder punch with a more distinct fishy flavor.
When you cook scallops, they tend to change in character. And this gives you a grilled, meatier taste that we all love so much. That is the reason why scallops are best when you pair them with delicious food items like butter or bacon.
Scallops: The Controversy
Scallops are relatively more perishable than the other mollusks. And do you know why? It’s because scallops open up their shells once caught.
This exposes their sensitive muscle to bacteria and air. Some scallops are killed immediately followed by freezing just as soon as they’re caught. Such a practice helps in preserving their freshness.
On the other hand, day boat scallops reach the shore immediately after the capture. These types of scallops are fresher and more expensive than the lot. You’ll only find them near shores.
You should also know that scallops go through the process of sodium tripolyphosphate (TSP) submersion. This involves dipping them into the liquid before placing them in the freezer. And sometimes, the scallops soak in this liquid so that the mollusk absorbs most of it.
Such a practice is not dangerous or harmful to the health. What it does is increase the size and shape of the scallop. And this makes them look costlier. But the original quality of the seafood does tend to suffer.
The best way to make sure that you’re not consuming these kinds of scallops is not to buy the wet pack. Dry pack versions are the ones that don’t come with any preservatives. So they’re safe and healthy to eat.
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Conclusion
So now you know what do scallops taste like. And not just that, there’s plenty of new stuff that you read about these mollusks in the article, didn’t you?
Buying high-quality seafood such as scallops can be quite a complicated task. And the process gets even tougher if you stay in an urban area. But once you get your hands on them, every effort seems worth it, doesn’t it?
Scallops are delicious and will become a part of your daily diet in no time once you taste them. So let’s give them a chance, shall we?
I hope the article provided the kind of information you were looking for. Is there anything that you think I failed to discuss? Please do let me know. You can drop your feedback in the comments section below.
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