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Scalloping stands as one of the most prominent attractions of Crystal River. It sparks a sort of frenzy at the marinas and boat ramps during peak scallop seasons. This activity offers one of the finest culinary experiences and family-friendly fun worldwide. Blessed with a delectable adductor muscle, scallops present a sweet and edible “roe” and “mantle.” These attributes combine to create one of the most delightful meals for outdoor enthusiasts. Fresh scallops taste quite good, regardless of whether they are eaten raw, baked or fried. So how do you prepare scallops, open a scallop shell, clean its gills and belly, and savor it in its natural form?

Holding the scallop

Once you find a scallop, you will need to clean it and cut away its edible muscle. To begin, hold the scallop in your hand, positioning the curved side of the shell near your fingers. Then, place the flat side next to your thumb. Next, secure a strong grip on the shell, ensuring you hold it firmly enough. This will enable you to cut and break the hinges of the shell with ease.

Breaking out a scallop

As you hold the scallop in your hand, you proceed to use a cutting device, often a knife, to slide into its shell. This action allows you to precisely slice off the top of the shell. Beginning at the top, the knife is then carefully twisted to ensure the hinges are effectively broken. Next, you move the knife downward along the shell’s flat side, facilitating the release of the scallop’s meat. Alternatively, you can utilize a spoon to fully open the shell, thereby freeing the scallop’s meat from the bottom shell.

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Obtaining scallop meat

Considering that only the white flesh or muscle of the scallop is consumed, ensuring a clean separation from other internal organs is crucial. To achieve this, pull off the black stomach sack, frill, and any additional tissue surrounding the white meat of the scallop. Discard these portions, retaining solely the white flesh and any other edible coral. Alternatively, you can employ your knife to meticulously scrape away the guts around the white muscle. As you discard the guts, use the knife to carefully cut the muscle into a pristine container. Then, this process can be repeated from one half of the shell to the other until you’ve obtained pristine meat.

Eating the scallop meat

Once you’ve separated the scallop meat from other organs, ensure a thorough rinse in cold water. It can be enjoyed raw, with a few drops of lime juice, dashes of pepper, and salt for flavor. You can also opt to bake or fry the scallop meat. Regardless of the preparation method, fresh scallop meat is a delightful conclusion to a perfect day with your family on Crystal River’s waters. Its deliciousness is likely to leave you craving more after your first taste.

Are you planning a scalloping experience in Crystal River? Would you like to use the services of a company located less than 10 minutes away from some of the best scalloping sites? At Captain Mike’s, we equip all our clients with the right tools, equipment, information and guides to ensure their trips are fun and memorable. Whether you are traveling to Crystal River for scuba diving, swimming with manatees, dance cruises, kayaking, cycling, horseback riding, fishing, airboat rides or scalloping, we offer a comprehensive list of all these fun activities at a competitive rate. For more information on how to plan and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Crystal River, visit “Captain Mike’s Swimming With The Manatees” site.

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