At this point, you can see how methodical sea urchin preparation is. When dealing with a larger sea urchin, it's most common to puncture one end, and then cut a small circle of shell out of the bottom, so that the majority of the shell stays intact.ĭrain any dark-coloured liquid and then use a spoon to scoop out any other brown-black substance inside the shell. If you're dealing with a small sea urchin, use a good pair of kitchen scissors to cut round the 'equator'. They are are usually sold alive, and you can sometimes see the spines gently moving. They are also available in well-connected fishmongers and fine food specialist shops.Īs with all seafood, it's important that the sea urchin is fresh.
But now sustainable sea urchin schemes are emerging, which raise urchins in a hatchery and then move them to rock pools. In the 1970s, national stocks were almost wiped out. It's not very easy to get hold of sea urchins. The sea urchin gonads can be cooked and are sometimes puréed into a velvety-rich sauce but they are most often served raw. They have a dark yellow-burned orange appearance, with a bumpy, tongue-like texture. It's worth noting that the edible gonads are often incorrectly labelled 'roe'. Sweet, with sea salt flavours, sea urchin is an ingredient which divides opinion and is prized as much for the smooth texture as its taste and aroma. Only a small part of the sea urchin is eaten – the 'gonads' or sex organs, which run along the inside of the shell. Sea urchins are also a great delicacy in Japanese cuisine, where they are known as 'uni', and often used in sushi, or served sashimi-style. Unsurprisingly, they are most popular in coastal regions, from northern Norway to southern Spain. Sea urchins have a long tradition in European cuisine – indeed they were supposedly served at Hercules' wedding to Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth. The most commonly found in British restaurants is the purple sea urchin which grows in Pacific Waters or the Norwegian green – both of which are just a little smaller than tennis ball-sized. Some sea urchins are delicate, ping pong ball-sized creatures while some varieties can be melon-sized, with spines which are several inches long. Sea urchins are distinctive underwater creatures covered in spikes – you'll know it if you see one and you'll know it if you tread on one, too! They vary in colour and size.
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