The term shellfish refers to edible molluscs such as clams, mussels, oysters, winkles, and scallops and crustaceans such as shrimps, prawns, lobsters, crayfish, and crabs.
There is a popular notion that shellfish should only be eaten in months containing an "R" in their name (basically every month except for May, June, July and August).
The traditional reason for this is that blooms of algae, often called red tides, occur mostly in the warmer months. Such algae collect along the coastlines and release harmful toxins that are absorbed by the shellfish.
It must be noted, however, that most shellfish reaching restaurants and supermarkets nowadays is commercially harvested and therefore immune to natural phenomena such as red tides.
Another problem with the summer months is that this is when shellfish usually spawn thus turning thin, milky and soft. This inevitably has a negative impact on their gastronomic quality.
Since we are now in the month of February which is one of the coldest months of the year and which contains two "R"s in its name, we can safely assume that this is one of the best periods to eat shellfish.
If you are living in London and would like to order a takeaway meal consisting of fresh, delicious shellfish, Urbanbite is happy to offer a few ideas:
For those living in EC50, NW2, NW4, or NW11 Hi Sushi delivers shrimp, scallop, clam or crab nigiri at very good prices.
If you are looking for Chinese cooking and you live in CR0, CR4, CR7, SM4, SM5, SW16, or SW17 you may want to try the mussels with black bean sauce and chilli from Dragon Inn
For lobster we can recommend Randall & Aubin operating SW1, SE1, SE11, SE17, EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4, W1, WC1, WC2, SW8 and which also sells a fantastic Mixed Seafood Salad consisting of cured prawns, shrimp, squid, octopus, herring, cockles, green olives, new potatoes, green beans, broccoli & boiled eggs for only $13.75.
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