SummerSimo Travel Troubles Notes and The Purring Page

Glassworts, also known as sea asparagus, is a halophyte plant that grows in brackish environment such as salt marshes and coastal areas. It is appreciated in the kitchen for its saline flavor and crunchy texture.

 

### Features and Benefits

– **Appearance**: Fleshy and branched stems, bright green in colour.

– **Taste**: Salty and slightly acidic.

– **Nutrients**: Rich in minerals such as iodine, magnesium, calcium and potassium. It also contains vitamins A and C.

 

### Preparation

– **Cleaning**: Rinse well under running water to remove any sand and salt residues.

– **Cooking**: It can be eaten raw in salads, sautéed in a pan, or lightly blanched.

– **Blanching**: Soak in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then cool in ice water to maintain crunchiness.

 

### Best Pairings

– **Fish and Seafood**: Perfect with grilled fish, seafood and sushi.

– **Meat**: Pairs well with white meats such as chicken and turkey.

– **Salads**: Added to fresh vegetable salads for a touch of flavor.

– **Pasta and Risotto**: Used as an ingredient in fish-based pasta and risotto dishes.

– **Condiments**: Seasoned with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice to enhance the flavor.

 

### Popular Recipes

– **Glassworts Salad**: With tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion.

– **Sautéed Glassworts**: Pan-fried with garlic and chilli pepper.

– **Glassworts risotto**: With fish broth and a sprinkling of fresh parsley. Glassworts, like many fresh vegetables, needs to be stored correctly to maintain its freshness and crunch.

 

### Storage

– **In the refrigerator**: Wrap the samphire in a damp cloth or place it in a perforated plastic bag. Store in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.

– **Shelf life**: If stored correctly in the refrigerator, glasswort can last up to a week.

 

### Long-Term Storage

– **Pickled**: Glassworts can be pickled for longer preservation. Simply immerse it in a solution of vinegar, water, salt and spices to taste.

– **Freezing**: Not the ideal option as it may lose its crunchy texture, but it can be frozen after being blanched and cooled, then dried well and sealed in food bags. However, the flavor may be altered and the consistency compromised.

 

### Advice

– **Freshness**: It is best to consume it as fresh as possible to fully enjoy its organoleptic characteristics.

– **Usage**: If you find that glasswort is starting to lose its freshness, you can always cook it or use it in dishes where the consistency is not predominant, such as soups or sauces.

 

By following these tips, you will be able to enjoy glasswort to the best of its ability.

 

Glassworts is versatile and can transform a simple dish into a gourmet delight thanks to its unique flavor and interesting texture.