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Scallops: a New England Delicacy

Europeans call them Coquilles St. Jacques, which translates "seashells of St. James." Legend has it that the apostle James traveled from the Holy Land to northern Spain where he preached for 7 years. When he died, his followers recovered his body and buried him in Compostela, Spain. They called him the patron Saint of shellfish and shell fishermen and the scallop became his symbol.

Bay Scallops
The smaller of the two, bay scallops are gathered in the winter months in the waters of New England. They can be found at low tide tangled in the eelgrass and also jumping in tidal pools. In fact, scallops are the only bivalve mollusks that can jump and swim! They move by using their inner muscle to clap the shells back and forth. When the shell snaps shut, a stream of water is forced out, empowering the scallop to move. By doing this, bay scallops can migrate several miles from where they were born. They can also control which direction they travel, therefore they can go sideways and backwards. Located on the inner edge of the shell are 30 to 40 bright blue eyes that enable the scallop to recognize change in light intensity. Although they can't see perfectly, scallops are able to see predators coming toward them.

Bay scallops only live until they are 12 to 18 months and rarely grow over 2 inches wide.

Holly Power of NICKERSON FISH & LOBSTER at the Chatham Fish Pier, Shore Rd. Chatham holds a tray of shucked Sea Scallops.

Sea Scallops
Harvested year-round off the colder, deeper waters of the Atlantic, sea scallops are brought to the surface by dredging. While many of these larger scallops can be found off Cape Cod Bay, the majority of them are caught in the Georges Bank, far from shore. Sea scallops can grow to be 7 inches and have a reddish-brown top and a white bottom. Many people prefer the smaller bay scallop's taste to the sea scallop.

However, others will argue that the sea scallop is easier to cook--there is less chance of overcooking and you can broil the sea scallop until it's brown on the outside and it will still be soft and tender inside.

All scallops spawn in June and reach maturity about a year and a half later. When scallops are a year old, they develop a ring around the top of their shells.

A permit is required to shellfish in Massachusetts. Contact the appropriate town hall for permits and information.