That’s right: sea snails. The gastropods are making a culinary comeback and this pickling recipe is a great introduction to the unusual ingredient.
By Alisha Lumea & Polly Legendre
Whelks are indigenous to the cold waters off the coast of Scotland. Their numbers are healthy, making them a great choice from a sustainability standpoint.
Once popular in coastal New England as well, whelks have slipped out of fashion. We think they’re ripe for a comeback, and we’ve seen them making guest appearances on menus in New York City as well as in the press. We like to think of them as a Cold Water Conch.
These pickled whelks make for a fresh twist on a traditional British preparation — and a unique yet very accessible appetizer. Serve them with thick slabs of country bread, sweet butter and an assortment of crunchy crudités. They’re also a wonderful addition to a tossed arugula salad (known in the UK as rocket). 
Pickled Whelks: Sea Snails
Description
That’s right: sea snails. The gastropods are making a culinary comeback and this pickling recipe is a great introduction to the unusual ingredient.
Ingredients
Brine base
- 1/8 cup sea salt
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
Pickling spices
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 star anise
- 2 juniper berries
- 1 pinch mustard seed
- 1 tsp whole peppercorns
Pickles
- 1/2 lb whelks, removed from their shells (don’t worry, they can be purchased this way)
- 1 small red onion
- 1 lemon
- 1 large sprig of fresh dill
- 2 large sprigs of flat leaf parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the brine base by combining the sea salt, water, vinegar and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil then set aside to cool.
- Prepare the whelks by slicing the meat into thin strips or slices. Place the whelk meat in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as the water comes to a boil, remove the whelk meat and cool under cold running water. Set aside.
- Slice the red onion and the lemon (with the rind intact) into thin rounds. In a glass jar, gently layer the spices, whelk, lemon, onions and herbs until the jar is full. Pour the cooled pickling brine into the jar until all the ingredients are fully covered. Close the jar and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Whelks prepared this way can be kept refrigerated for up to a week.
- Category: Appetizer
Well all this is wonderful information that anyone that like whelks already knew. To the point where can we in the USA buy them????????????????? Or is this another load of useless BS
Tony Grundy, ajgivan @aol.com
I’ve found whelks at Asian markets. Don’t be rude, sir.