Murex ✦

Murex (rocher)

What it is

This is the banded dye-murex, whose hypobranchial gland gave Tyre and Sidon their purple; the middens there are heaps of crushed shells, each punched at the same spot to reach that one gland. The dye comes out colourless and turns violet only in sunlight, which is why the dyers worked in the open air.

In the kitchen

Twenty to twenty-five minutes in water salted like the sea with a bay leaf, then draw the flesh out with a pin, prise off the horny operculum and cut away the dark coil at the tip — that last turn holds most of the bitterness. Serve them warm with aïoli; cold, they tighten.

Goes with

Olive oil Garlic Bay leaf Lemon Parsley Fennel White wine vinegar Chili pepper

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