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Variegated Scallops
(Chlamys varies)
The scallops are bivalve mollusks which are often confused with scallops. Learn about the Differences between zamburiña and volandeira
What are and Characteristics of Scallops?
The scallops are molluscs bivalvesimilar to scallops, which are found on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, especially in Spain (It is mainly found on the coasts of Galicia and Asturias) and Portugal. They have tender meat and a delicate flavor, and are prepared in a variety of ways, such as grilling, pan-frying, or in stews.
This shellfish is caught during practically all months of the year and lives in the northeast Atlantic Ocean.
The scallop usually lives at shallow depths and is often found attached to rocks, large algae, or stones.
The length that a scallop reaches varies between 4 and 7 centimeters in its adult age.
There is no single color common to the entire species; they can be found in reddish, whitish, orange, with yellowish, pinkish, or brown spots. The pattern is also not unique; they can have shades, stripes, or irregular shadows.
Physically, a scallop is a solid, oval-shaped shell or rounded, except for the ear. The ears are small appendages at the end of the shell, and what differentiates the scallop from other similar mollusks is that it only has one ear.
The surface of the scallop is rough, composed of up to 30 distinct lines and can have a ridged texture. Its valves are connected by an elastic ligament that allows them to open and close. This mechanism aids its movement.
Inside the shell, they are the gonads, cream or beige in color, They are small, but they pack a lot of flavor.
Scallops are hermaphrodites and reproduce in the water, where they expel both eggs and sperm for fertilization. The larvae grow and develop until they mature and attach to the bottom, where they begin their adult stage.
Until maturity, scallops are male, but they will change sex several times during their life.
The diet of scallops is based on plankton, They filter the water through their gills and expel particles that are of no use to them.
This mollusk is abundant throughout the year, so it's not a problem to buy it at any time. It's a plentiful species, and although it may seem very cheap, it commands high prices due to the time it takes to catch it.
In addition, scallops are highly appreciated in gastronomy for their rich, smooth and delicate flavor.
One of the most typical dishes made with this seafood is grilled scallops with a touch of lemon and parsley.
PREMIUM QUALITY
There are not many types of scallop, although they vary slightly in flavor and color depending on their habitat.
One of the best known variants is the Galician scallop, caught off the coast of northern Spain, and considered the most flavorful scallop. Its flesh is tender and delicate.
Another very similar variant is the French scallop, a little less elongated and with more orange and brown colors.
The zamburiña should not be confused with the volandeira, They are two different mollusks despite their great resemblance.
Nutritional values
Scallops are a very healthy seafood, with balanced nutritional values and suitable for a healthy and balanced diet.
It is composed mainly of proteins and has hardly any carbohydrates or fats.
About 100 grams of scallops have 20 kcal, making them a very low-calorie food.
In addition, the scallops They have vitamins of group A and B, and minerals, such as magnesium, iron or potassium, which are essential and beneficial for health.
In the following table you can see an approximation of the nutritional information for scallops:
Nutritional Information | By 100g |
Energetic value | 375kJ / 89kcal |
Fats | 1,4g |
Saturated fatty acids | 0,4g |
Carbohydrates | 0g |
Sugars | 0g |
Proteins | 19g |
Sal Island | 0,7g |
Habitat
Scallops live in the northeast of the Atlantic Ocean, usually in shallow areas attached to large rocks or stones. They usually live in cold waters.
There are different variants of the scallop, such as the Galician or the French, depending on the area where they live.
This shellfish can reach depths of up to 100 meters and lives freely, floating and moving through the water. Although, as mentioned before, they are most commonly found near the surface, attached to rocks.
In Spain, They are fished off the coasts of Galicia and Asturias, where they are part of the area's typical cuisine. However, various experiments have been conducted to try to reproduce the breeding of scallops on the coasts of southern Spain, in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea.
Less commonly, scallops can be found attached to algae and shell debris, or on sandy bottoms.
Season and Fishing Gear
Scallop Fishing Season
The scallop fishing season It starts in September and ends in May, covering almost the entire year.
It's not a rare product, nor is it a product of specific seasons, as it can also be found in the summer months, but it's not the most recommended or optimal.
During the summer months, it is often caught by hand, which increases its usual price.
How to fish for scallops
Scallops are caught with rfishing rods, either by hand or with a rake, used to catch other mollusks such as scallops. More occasionally, rafts are used.
Over the years, in Galicia, scallop fishing has been done traditionally, using small rakes or by hand. This is the method that works best and offers the best results, as the scallop is preserved whole and in better condition.
Fishing trawls are nets placed on the seabed that can catch large quantities of fish.
After fishing, It is important to put the scallops through a cleaning process to avoid broken ones, and to clean up any sand and stones they may have brought.
Recipes using this Galician mollusk
Grilled scallops
Frequently Asked Questions about Scallops
Scallops and scallops are two mollusks that look very similar physically, and are also caught in nearby areas, but they differ greatly in taste and texture.
The differences between scallops and scallops They are determined mainly by their size, color and flavor.
The size of a scallop is much smaller than a queen scallop, and its colors are more grayish on the outside and whitish on the inside. A scallop is more striking due to its size and orange colors.
The flavor of scallops is finer, tastier and smoother, and also, it has a higher price compared to the scallop.
When we see something red inside the shell, it is the gonad, which is the interior and the product that is eaten from these mollusks.
Even if, If the gonad is red, it is not a scallop, but of a volandeira.
The color of the gonad of the scallop is beige, not red or orange.
Scallops feed on plankton, found in water particles.
Like other mollusks, they have a water filtration system in their gills, and food particles pass into the mouth through the labial palps. The remaining filtered particles that are not needed are expelled.
