Womens Thoughts

If like, me you have only recently heard of Samphire Grass (Salicornia europaea), then read on as this “sea vegetable” has a quite delicious flavour and is well worth sourcing. It is also known as salicom, glasswort, pickle plant or sea asparagus. It is not that easy to get hold of in supermarkets or green grocers, so try your local fishmonger. Currently costing around £10 per kilo but 250g would be sufficient for 4 people. It has been gaining popularity as being a trendy food being served in some London restaurants and has made appearances in cookery books. Traditionally it was pickled and bottled. It is still available like this but fresh samphire is far superior.

Rather like asparagus, samphire has a season. It is generally available from June until August. It comes first from Israel, from France and then picked here in Great Britain. It grows in abundance on our shorelines, both on the marshy shallows and salty mudflats. It is, therefore, picked by those in the know!

As you will see from the accompanying photograph, samphire looks a little like cactus, being succulent and has a crunchy texture and a salty taste.

It is a fantastic accompaniment to fish dishes, hence why so many fishmongers sell it!

Salt marsh lambs in Wales graze on land that is covered by daily tidal waters and where samphire grows along with seaweed and rushes. The meat is unique in flavour and found on menus in top London restaurants. See Elwy Valley Lamb  for more information.

How to use samphire.

Trim off the top and the roots to leave the more fibrous stems, (this may have already been done for you before purchase) and wash thoroughly to remove any mud.

Serve with all seafood.

Do not add salt as it is naturally salty.

Use it raw in salads.

It can be steamed or boiled for a few minutes and then served as is or tossed in butter and with a little black pepper added.

Add to cooked pasta and heat for a couple of minutes.

Stockists

Lanigans Ltd
74 Clifton Street
Lytham St Annes
Lancashire
FY8 5EW

Telephone: 01253 736203
Fax: 01253 736203

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K.Dilworth4 Witton Walk
Northwich CheshireCW9 5AT
01606 41767

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Walter Rose & Sons

Sidmouth Street

Devizes

Wiltshire

01380 722335

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