Such memories! In the tasca on the ground floor of our apartment in Madrid, 1966, chilly autumn night, rain coming up, baby tucked asleep four floors above us, I saw percebes for the first time. Elephant claws, I thought. And then I tried them, and was totally won over. By the handful with a small glass of cerveza, not txakolit (it came later). A half century along, in a posher than posh seafood restaurant, still in Madrid, they were as costly as gold. Still delicious, delightful, but no longer something to munch by the handful with a small glass of cerveza or anything less than a pricey Rias Baixas Albariño. Thanks for the memories, Elisabeth--it's always such a treat to read you!
Good advice, Cheryl! I've also been told the same story - cook in sea-water - about lobster and crab in Denmark. Trouble is our national seawater is bit dodgy right now...
Such memories! In the tasca on the ground floor of our apartment in Madrid, 1966, chilly autumn night, rain coming up, baby tucked asleep four floors above us, I saw percebes for the first time. Elephant claws, I thought. And then I tried them, and was totally won over. By the handful with a small glass of cerveza, not txakolit (it came later). A half century along, in a posher than posh seafood restaurant, still in Madrid, they were as costly as gold. Still delicious, delightful, but no longer something to munch by the handful with a small glass of cerveza or anything less than a pricey Rias Baixas Albariño. Thanks for the memories, Elisabeth--it's always such a treat to read you!
Thanks so much, especially for the wine pairing !
Igualmente, guapa!
We bought goose barnacles from the fabulous fish markets in Portugal where those in the know told us to cook them in sea water, or not at all!
Good advice, Cheryl! I've also been told the same story - cook in sea-water - about lobster and crab in Denmark. Trouble is our national seawater is bit dodgy right now...
OMG....
A comic book cook book!!!
How wonderful!!!!
I had never heard of them Elisabeth, and not only am I now wiser, I’ve been totally entertained by your words, thank you
I ate percebes many years ago in Portugal. Just delicious. They weren’t expensive in those days and we enjoyed them uncooked.
My sister-in-law, who lives in Llanes (Cantabria), says percebes are 59 euros per kilo in the market. Cooking does extend the shell-life - lucky you!
Wow, a new sea delicacy (or indelicacy, apparently) to discover!
Lovely, lovely, lovely stuff, Elisabeth - everything good writing should be. Thank you.
Percebes de Ganso ! Thank you for sharing this. On my bucket list.
Gorgeous illustrations as always!