Conchs are medium-to-large edible sea snails. It is pronounced as “konk.” The conch meat is eaten raw in salads or cooked in burgers, fritters, and gumbos. All parts of the conch meat are edible. It tastes like scallops or fish and salmon at one which is rubbery and soft to chew. Let’s have a look at ‘Where does Conch Meat come from?’.
Conchs are native to the coasts of the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Conch harvesting has been made illegal in Florida due to overfishing. In Europe, the black sea is known for conchs harvesting. At the Naguabo Queen Conch Hatchery in Puerto Rico, the queen conch is being raised using aquaculture techniques for restoration and sustainable seafood. In the USA, conch meat is mostly from the Bahamas and some from the Caribbean region.
How to clean a conch?
Break the shell open
The conch has a shell that first has to be broken open. It has to be hammered to form a whole on the top of the spiral and then force the snail out of the shell or the shell can be broken in half, it is recommended to cover the shell while doing it so the pieces of it don’t come off and hit one. It has to be knocked open while breaking it into half because if it is hammered too hard it crushes the meat.
Remove the conch
Remove the conch from the shell by holding and twisting it. Then it is important to rinse and clean it thoroughly to remove pieces of the shell.
Trim out the meat
Trim the skin to remove the black parts of it, any left of the shell, and the innards of it. One can start by trimming the top of it i.e. the innards and chopping off the muscle shells. This will leave a way to the firm white meat which has to be then cleaned of the black dark parts.
Slice the meat
For grilling, it is recommended that meat be sliced into thicker slices but the size of the slices depends on the dish one is making.
Recipes out of the conch meat
Conch can be eaten in multiple ways. Following are the main three methods to eat conch which are used in various recipes.
- Cracked conch
- Steamed conch
- Conch salad
Cracked Conch
The meat is not tenderized rather pounded on until it’s shredded. After an egg mix has to be prepared in which it is dipped. After layering it with egg wash the conch bits are rolled in flour to be coated and then fried until golden brown. This technique is usually used for the conch fritters which is one of the most famous conch dishes.
Steamed Conch
Simmering conch in a boiled pot with salted water. This method is usually used to make roasted conchs. The conch initially gets stiffer and later on with boiling water softens. Often used in the different stew recipes, especially in Haiti.
Conch salad
It is eaten raw after tenderizing it and soaking it into citrus juice. It is then mixed with vegetables of your liking, recommended are tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, onion, lime, and orange juice. Once fully mixed, season it with your favorite seasonings and serve it fresh.
Where can you buy it and how much do conches cost?
Conch can be bought online from the following sites:
- Key Largo Fisheries
- Eaton Street Seafood Market
- Keys Fisheries
- Carolina Fish Market
- Wholey
- Giovanni’s Fish Market
- Key West Shrimp Company
- Fishbusterz
It can also be bought off in certain stores such as Walmart. Local stores often also sell conch meat. The varied prices are reflective of the quality.
The prices can range from $7 to $14 for 1 lb. Usually, sites like Amazon sell 5lbs in 1 pack for $189 while other sites sell them in the range of $144- $189.
Conclusion
Conch meat is indeed delicious seafood which is also one of the main reasons why the Bahamas has declared it as its national food. The exclusivity of the conch also makes it more appetizing and worth the buy. A fan of seafood should not miss out on its exquisite flavor of it.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Conch illegal in the USA?
Until 1886, Florida was a conch hotspot. But due to overfishing, the species came close to extinction hence it was banned ever since in the country. However, conch meat is imported from various islands such as the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
- Which is the most eaten conch?
The Queen conch is the most commonly eaten conch that is found in the Caribbeans and Bahamas.
- What are the benefits of conch meat?
It is a good source of lean protein, iron, and calcium. It is also high in vitamin E and B12. It is also a source of magnesium, selenium, and folate.
