THE ABALONE
The Abalone, a rare and precious marine gastropod mollusk, is also referred to as Ear of the Sea (Orecchia di mare) or Ear of Venus (Orecchio di Venere) due to its shape, similar to that of an auricle. Its shell has wonderful mother-of-pearl shades.
Angled for millennia, it became renowned as an elite delicacy in the early twentieth century. Its different varieties are found in various parts of the world. As a gourmet delicacy, abalones are also popular in the East, where they are thought to have aphrodisiac powers.
As a signature dish of Chinese New Year, they are considered a treasure to serve to special guests as it has been a status symbol for more than two thousand years.
The abalone has many nutritional properties but its peculiarity remains the exceptional flavour, iodised and delicate, of its white meat and its texture make it enjoyable either raw or cooked in numerous ways.
Chinese New Year's main dish, it is considered a treasure to serve to guests special, since for more than 2000 years, this product represents a status symbol.
There are many incredible characteristics of abalone but its peculiarity remains the exceptional flavor, iodized and delicate, of its white meat, which can be enjoyed both raw and cooked in any way.
From Lava To the sea
In Sicily, the abalone is also known as Eye of the Ox and is fished on the Eastern coast during the summer months. Even though Italy has a coastline of more than 8000 km, these abalone can only be found on about 6 km of the Catania coastline. It is believed that the reason for this is that it was formed by an eruption of Mount Etna in 1329, during which numerous secondary cones and lava flows were formed, reaching as far as the sea to the north of Acireale. The abalone lives and defends itself by adhering firmly to the rock. In fact, its collection is only possible by free diving: usually young fishermen are accompanied by the boatman, who waits until the end of each dive. This is certainly determinate in its value and attraction.
Its collection is very dangerous because it lives and defends itself by adhering firmly to the rock. In fact, its fishing is only possible in apnea: usually young fishermen are made accompanied by the boatman, who waits until the end of each dive. This fact certainly contributes to the value and high price.
