What is a Sea Urchin?
The scientific name for sea urchin is Echinoidea, which refers to a class of echinoderms. Echinoderms are marine animals that can be found in the oceans.
The sea urchin, also referred to as the echinoid or sea hedgehog, is a marine creature that goes by various names.
Sea urchins are known for their slow movement and typically feed on seaweed. However, in certain marine environments, they may also consume molluscs, corals, or seagrasses.
The sea urchin is characterized by its spherical shape, with a diameter ranging from 3 to 10 cm. The shell is typically between 3 to 4 cm thick and is adorned with numerous spines on its exterior.
Sea urchins, also known as urchin eggs, contain a small amount of flesh in relation to their shell volume. The flesh of sea urchins is comprised of a star-shaped structure, with 5-8 points, that adheres to the shell. It is typically orange or yellow in color.
Sea urchin is renowned for being a delectable seafood option that boasts exceptional nutritional benefits. This versatile delicacy can be savored in three ways: raw, cooked, or grilled.
Choosing the Best Quality Sea Urchin: Freshness, Elegant Easter Egg Colors, and More!
Sea urchins are known to spawn from March to July of the lunar calendar. They typically inhabit rocky cliffs.
To successfully capture sea urchins, one must possess both skillful dexterity and a delicate touch. Employing iron hooks, the sea urchins are carefully extracted from their habitat before being gently collected and placed into a designated basket.
If you encounter a sea urchin, you must exercise caution as they possess a powerful defense mechanism. In response to a perceived threat, they will shoot out sharp spikes, which can make it difficult to remove them from their habitat, such as a cliff.
While capturing sea urchins may require resourcefulness and present some challenges, selecting fresh and meaty sea urchins is, in contrast, quite straightforward. Here are some simple steps to ensure you choose the best sea urchin with ample roe (eggs).
- Please consider selecting live sea urchins as they demonstrate effortless respiration through the observable movement of their spines, both in the presence and absence of water.
- “The quantity of meat (eggs) found within a sea urchin increases proportionally with its size.”
Currently, we offer two types of sea urchin: prickly urchin and skull urchin.
Urchins, typically characterized by their black appearance, possess durable and elongated outer spines. In contrast, the skullcap of these creatures exhibits a yellow-orange or white hue with shorter and softer spines.
According to experts in the culinary field, while the skullcap and urchin meat may have distinct aromas, porcupine meat is considered to be of superior quality compared to the skullcap.
Where to Buy and How Much is Sea Urchin?
Sea urchins are available for purchase at seafood stores, select markets (availability may vary) and certain e-commerce websites.
As of November 2021, the price range for sea urchins at Dien May Xanh is 15,000 – 25,000 VND per head. Additionally, prepackaged sea urchin meat is priced at approximately 400,000 VND per kilogram.
How to Properly Prepare Sea Urchin
Preliminary Processing of Sea Urchin
Processing sea urchin is a relatively simple task that can be accomplished by following a few steps as instructed by Dien May Xanh.
Step 1: Begin by carefully removing the spines from the outer shell of the sea urchin.
Step 2: Use the tip of scissors to carefully cut a circular opening at the bottom of the sea urchin.
Step 3: Empty the contents of the sea urchin to reveal the flesh. Next, delicately remove any remaining blood veins and residual food using tweezers, ensuring that only the desirable yellow or orange eggs are left behind.
Step 4: Thoroughly wash and rinse the item under a steady stream of running water before consuming or further processing.
What Delicacies Can You Prepare with Sea Urchins?
To experience the rich and indulgent flavor, we recommend enjoying sea urchin sashimi with a touch of mustard. Furthermore, you can explore other delicious preparations such as sea urchin porridge, sea urchin soup, or grilled sea urchin with caramelized onions; all of which are equally enticing options.
Refer to more recipes from sea urchin:
Thank you for taking the time to read and learn about sea urchins. We hope that the information provided has been helpful in improving your understanding of these fascinating creatures. Additionally, we have shared a recipe for making delicious sea urchin dishes. We hope that you enjoy incorporating this seafood into your culinary experiences.
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