South African Dried Abalone

A friend of mine got this abalone F.O.C. from his friend in South Africa. Apparently, it is cheap there...not sure as i have yet to venture into that part of the world.

While still researching about abalone and awaiting for picture to be uploaded to me, i just post this for fun.....lolz

















A 3 inches dried abalone - about 24 head abalone. Head = nos of abalone in a catty ( 600 gm ). If you have 2 numbers of abalone weighing 600gm then they are called 2 head abalone. If you have 24 pieces in a catty then they are 24 head. Usually they are in even numbers...
















Side view of the snails - family species....

















4 different sizes and shape. They are not as expensive as those from Japan or Australia.

Cheers!

6 comments:

slurp! said...

still can't understand why abalone so expensive? fortunately, i no fan of this shellfish

Unknown said...

you must cook these up and let us know how the taste and quality compare to those expensive ones we get in cans!

FooDcrazEE said...

slurp - it takes 3 yrs to grow the first 3 cm, then averaging abt 1 - 2 cm a year. To get normal size abalone - 15 - 20yrs...thats y ler..

Cath, most dried abalone will always taste better than the canned type. Their juices and flavour are sealed in the flesh.

Kristopher said...

Dried abalone take a long time to cook it too...slowly cook with slow cooker or small fire...it will taste better than those in canned . :)

FooDcrazEE said...

kris, it is....takes 3 days just to braised the abalone......of course it is delicious. U r absolutely right

fin said...

What a strange shape....like something from outer space