SEA URCHINS – how to clean and eat them (RICCI DI MARE)

The images above are a good indication of how to clean Sea Urchins and eat them.

Sea urchins – how to clean 

Sea urchins are messy to clean and you may feel cheated when find that not all of them are as endowed of gonads as the others, but they are worth it.

Use scissors and place the sea urchin face up.

To extract the gonads (this is what we eat), enter through the mouth and cut around the top of the urchin with scissors. Wear thick gloves.

The gonads of both male and female sea urchins are usually referred to as ‘roe’ or ‘corals’ and they can vary in colour from yellow- orange to light brown.

Lift off what you have cut and do not be put off by the amount of “black gunk”.

Pour out the black liquid and discard. Use a small coffee spoon or tweezers to extract the roe. Use the tweezers to pluck any residue black matter.

I like to eat them with a sauce on some bread. It is the same sauce that I use to make Spaghetti con Ricci – Spaghetti with Sea Urchins.

HOW TO EAT THEM:

BRUSCHETTA

• crusty slices of bread (e.g., sourdough, ciabatta, or pane di casa). I also like to use Rye Bread
• 1-2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
• A little extra olive oil for brushing

1. Brush each side of the bread with olive oil and toast in the oven until golden.
2. Rub the bread with garlic clove.
3. Place some of the Sea Urchin on slices of toasted bread, top with some of the mixture made with GREMOLATA –  ground black pepper, grated lemon peel,  chopped parsley and  minced garlic.

OR

DIPPING SAUCE: made with chilli flakes, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, grated lemon peel, chopped parsley and optional additions of fresh oregano, mint, dill or fennel fronds.

OR

SPAGHETTI CHI RICCI – SPAGHETTI CON RICCI DI MARE (Spaghetti with sea urchins)