Scallops: The luxury seafood worth discovering and savouring

Scallops, or St. James mussels, have a delicate, slightly sweet taste and a refined aroma. Even people who generally do not like seafood eagerly reach for this delicacy. Why is it worth paying attention to them?

Shrimps, lobsters, oysters, and octopuses are immensely popular worldwide, and scallops are no exception. They hide in their characteristic ribbed shells. In ancient times, they were a symbol of beauty and taste – legend has it that the goddess Venus emerged from sea foam on such a shell. We rarely indulge in this delicacy. This is understandable since scallops do not naturally occur here. Nevertheless, it's worth expanding your culinary horizons and discovering why scallops are such a sought-after delicacy.

Edible scallops are a species of bivalve mollusc from the Pectinidae family, classified as seafood. They are commonly known as "St. James mussels," referencing the pilgrimages to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. This place is considered the resting site of the apostle James, and pilgrims travelling there nourished themselves with easily accessible and cheap scallops. Over time, scallops became regarded as a luxury product, appreciated for their exquisite taste.

The main harvesting locations for scallops are the coasts of France, Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Canada. Harvests are strictly controlled from October to May to protect scallop populations. In some countries, such as Norway, mussels are farmed on marine farms, allowing for year-round availability.

Scallops can now also be purchased both fresh and frozen. Frozen scallops can be found in discount stores, while fresh ones are better sought after in seafood shops. It is worth knowing that both scallops in shells and just the meat can be bought. For 1 kilogram of raw scallops, you need to pay between €46 and €68, while a kilogram of frozen seafood costs between €34 and €46.

Scallops not only taste exquisite but also provide numerous nutritional benefits. They are a rich source of proteins, including essential amino acids. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, protect against inflammation and cancers, and positively affect the nervous system.

Scallops contain valuable selenium, which protects the body from the toxic effects of heavy metals and has anti-cancer properties. Scallops also provide a substantial dose of B vitamins, including B12, which enhances stress resistance and prevents anaemia. However, individuals with hypertension should consume them in moderation due to the sodium content.

Scallops can be used in the kitchen in various ways. They can be eaten raw, for example, as a base for sushi. They taste great drizzled with lemon juice, sprinkled with salt and pepper, then sautéed with garlic and rosemary. It's worth remembering that scallops do not require long thermal processing – 2-3 minutes on each side are sufficient. Scallops are also excellent when grilled. You can make skewers from them by threading them onto sticks along with bacon, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes.