Scallop

Coquille Saint-Jacques

What it is

Pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela sewed its shell onto their cloaks — proof of the journey, drinking cup and begging bowl in one; French still names it after Saint James. Botticelli floated Venus ashore on one: the only ingredient with its own Renaissance masterpiece.

In the kitchen

Dry them obsessively, then ninety seconds a side in a screaming pan: mahogany crust, translucent heart. Moving them early is the only way to fail.

Goes with

Butter Chives Saffron Cream Lemon

Same species

Scallop coral

Also used with

Absinthe Agrumato lemon oil Beeswax Begonia petals Baerii caviar Schrenckii caviar

In season alongside

Northern sweet shrimp Nantucket bay scallop Arctic char Clam Crayfish Dungeness crab

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