Tis The Season For....Fresh Maine Scallops!

When it comes to seafood, I love just about all of it. I always find it funny whenever I talk to someone from away and they find out I'm from Maine, it's always the Lobster they want to know about.

But for me, as much as I like lobster, if I really had to choose my favorite seafood, it would have be "Maine scallops". Mmmm. Now don't get it twisted. Not all scallops are the same. You make notice bay scallops around quite often (mostly frozen & from outside the USA) not that they won't work in a pinch but they just don't have the taste of a true sea or day boat scallop from Maine waters. It's true. And if you don't believe me, just ask Gordon Ramsey next time he is in Maine.

OK. Here is a little Maine scallop primer. You have day boat or "diver" scallops. These are more labor intensive and are often priced a little bit higher for the extra handling. There is also "dragging" for scallops that uses, a drag that digs the scallops up from the ocean bed. These still taste amazing and they drag anywhere from Georges Bank out in Massachusetts, to right up here in Penobscot Bay. If you notice your Facebook feed getting bombarded with fresh scallops.... indulge, and by the way, they freeze extremely well. I have even had some that were frozen for 10 years...and still were wonderful!

If you have never had scallops before, they are a very mild and very rich tasting seafood. You can eat them raw, pan sear them, wrap them in bacon, or of course fry them. The options are endless and all delicious and good for you.

This is also a great time to remind you to support your local fisherman and seafood markets. Personally, I love and trust Delano's Seafood Market in Waldoboro. They do an amazing job and have a newly expanded market where they are having an open house on December 11th. A perfect time to swing by and buy some fresh Maine scallops!

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