Shellfish

Question 1

What is a mollusc?

Answer 1

• Gastropods: (univalves)
• Bivalves: (double hinged shell) filter feeders
• Cephalopods: tentacles and internal shell

Question 2

Examples of gastropods

Answer 2

• whelks
• winkles
• limpet
• barnacle

Question 3

Examples of bivalves

Answer 3

• clams
• mussels
• oysters
• scallops

Question 4

Examples of cephalopods

Answer 4

• squid
• cuttlefish
• octopus

Question 5

What is a crustacean?

Answer 5

shellfish with an external, hinged shell and 5 pairs of legs, including a pair of claws.

Question 6

Examples of crustaceans

Answer 6

• crab
• lobster
• langoustine
• prawn
• shrimp
• crayfish

Question 7

How to store shellfish?

Answer 7

At the bottom of the fridge, ideally on crushed ice in a tray which allows the water to drain away.
Alternatively covered with a damp tea towel for short term storage.

Question 8

How to tell crustaceans are cooked?

Answer 8

Turns bright red, fibres set (turns from translucent to opaque)
For prawns, they will start to curl

Question 9

How to tell molluscs are cooked?

Answer 9

Shell opens, flesh opaque, firms up a little

Question 10

How to tell molluscs are safe to cook?

Answer 10

No damage to shell, tightly closed.

Question 11

Rules of buying/storing shellfish

Answer 11

Buy from a reputable source with high turnover
Use within 24 hours of purchase
Store in the fridge as soon after purchase as possible
Keep weather in mind, too hot = not good
If in doubt about freshness, don’t buy

Question 12

How to prep squid?

Answer 12

1. Remove the legs and tentacles from the body. The innards should come away with the legs
2. Cut just below the eyes to separate the legs. Discard the eyes and innards
3. Squeeze out the beak from the base of the tentacles. Trim the tentacles
4. Remove the quill and any remaining contents from the cavity
5. Remove the brown-pink membrane surrounding the body
6. Cut the body open along the quill line. Clean the squid, dry well and score

Question 13

How to prep prawns?

Answer 13

1.Pull the head off
2. Remove the shell surrounding the body
3. Remove the intestinal track

Question 14

How to prep mussels?

Answer 14

1. Check that none are damaged or very heavy, if they are, discard
2. Look over any that may be open, and check they are still alive
3. Dunk the mussels in water to clean, then remove the beard and barnacles

Question 15

What to look for when buying a live lobster?

Answer 15

• Full bright eyes
• Lively
• Heavy for their size
• No damage to shells
• No smaller than legal minimum landing size 87mm
• No female lobsters (berried)

Question 16

What is tomalley?

Answer 16

A green substance found in the body of the lobster which is the animal’s liver and is delicious to eat and used when flavouring sauces/bisque etc.