Mussel Season is upon us

The mussel quarantine is schedule to be lifted on Nov. 1st and those tasty morsels will soon be on my menu again.

Please make sure to contact the quarantine hotline 1-800-553-4133 before harvesting to make sure there are no additional closures and or restrictions.

Enjoy

Are you going at midnight?    I'll see you there if I'm in the lot.

I tried to soak them in either freshwater, saltwater. Same result. Still have that mud/sand taste.
How do you purge sand/mud out ?

 

did you pick those up on mavericks beach?

I tried to soak them in either freshwater, saltwater. Same result. Still have that mud/sand taste.
How do you purge sand/mud out ?

In my experience, mussels don't purge very well.  Best thing to do is take them from the cleaner areas.  Don't take them from the top of rocks (where the sand settles), or near the bottom (where the sand settles), or in an area sheltered from the surf zone (where the sand settles).  Basically take them on the sides of the rocks on the ocean facing side where they get "washed" a little more and the sand doesn't settle as much.

-Allen

I've had trouble getting them to purge as well. I've taken to steaming them and then shucking the meat and rinsing under water to remove any grit then adding the meat to whatever I'm cooking. I love moules et frites, but reserve that prep for store bought or when I'm getting it in the restaurant.

I tried to soak them in either freshwater, saltwater. Same result. Still have that mud/sand taste.
How do you purge sand/mud out ?

In my experience, mussels don't purge very well.  Best thing to do is take them from the cleaner areas.  Don't take them from the top of rocks (where the sand settles), or near the bottom (where the sand settles), or in an area sheltered from the surf zone (where the sand settles).  Basically take them on the sides of the rocks on the ocean facing side where they get "washed" a little more and the sand doesn't settle as much.

-Allen

What Pole said just be selective when harvesting and you should be good.

did you pick those up on mavericks beach?

No.....I believe that area is closed 

I tried to soak them in either freshwater, saltwater. Same result. Still have that mud/sand taste.
How do you purge sand/mud out ?

In my experience, mussels don't purge very well.  Best thing to do is take them from the cleaner areas.  Don't take them from the top of rocks (where the sand settles), or near the bottom (where the sand settles), or in an area sheltered from the surf zone (where the sand settles).  Basically take them on the sides of the rocks on the ocean facing side where they get "washed" a little more and the sand doesn't settle as much.

-Allen

Right on. I always pick mine on the top, because it is easy. I'll try the ocean side next time.

Found this on the web.  Worth a try!

"I am from Belgium, and mussels were very much a part of our meals when they were in season. My mother always put the mussels in the sink and filled with water, added some salt and some flour. This apparently makes the mussels open enough to clean the sand out. She left them in there for about 30 minutes to an hour before cooking them. I don't remember ever finding sand in them, so I guess it must work. I have done the same, just because mom did it, and it seems to work fine. Give it a try!
Bon appetit."

Found this on the web.  Worth a try!

"I am from Belgium, and mussels were very much a part of our meals when they were in season. My mother always put the mussels in the sink and filled with water, added some salt and some flour. This apparently makes the mussels open enough to clean the sand out. She left them in there for about 30 minutes to an hour before cooking them. I don't remember ever finding sand in them, so I guess it must work. I have done the same, just because mom did it, and it seems to work fine. Give it a try!
Bon appetit."

Some people swear by either flour or cornmeal in water. I've never tried either but I know people that say it doesn't work and others that swear by it. The most reliable method is usually a long soak in sea water. Just grab a bucket of sea water as you leave the picking spot so that they're accustomed to the salinity level, give them a quick scrub and rinse, and let them soak overnight in a cool spot. They'll continue to filter the water just as they would in the ocean and will start to spit out the sand. The limiting factor is oxygen in the water, so you could use an aquarium aeration stone if you wanted to soak them longer to get them super clean.

    I've always wanted to try this, but don't know where to try! 

Antonio...can I join you sometime on one of your mussel harvest outings?

Found this on the web.  Worth a try!

"I am from Belgium, and mussels were very much a part of our meals when they were in season. My mother always put the mussels in the sink and filled with water, added some salt and some flour. This apparently makes the mussels open enough to clean the sand out. She left them in there for about 30 minutes to an hour before cooking them. I don't remember ever finding sand in them, so I guess it must work. I have done the same, just because mom did it, and it seems to work fine. Give it a try!
Bon appetit."

Some people swear by either flour or cornmeal in water. I've never tried either but I know people that say it doesn't work and others that swear by it. The most reliable method is usually a long soak in sea water. Just grab a bucket of sea water as you leave the picking spot so that they're accustomed to the salinity level, give them a quick scrub and rinse, and let them soak overnight in a cool spot. They'll continue to filter the water just as they would in the ocean and will start to spit out the sand. The limiting factor is oxygen in the water, so you could use an aquarium aeration stone if you wanted to soak them longer to get them super clean.

Sounds like that would work pretty well but I really don't have a sand issue with my mussels.

   I've always wanted to try this, but don't know where to try! 

Antonio...can I join you sometime on one of your mussel harvest outings?

Sure thing Won

I'd be down to try it too Antonio.

Bill

I'd be down to try it too Antonio.

Bill

But of course.

I remember seeing a lot at Pescadero. Can someone tell me if you can harvest mussels there?