Little Squirts
Posted by Barbara Tighe on December 19, 2003
Q: What is the orange appendage attached to the scallop that appears on the product in Europe and is eaten but does not appear on the scallops that are consumed in the US? Some of us are thinking it is Roe and others feel it must be a "foot" or type of muscular attachment. Please advise and solve our dilema.
A: I'm a bit vague as to what you're describing although I do have a thought. The clam's siphons (there is a constant incoming stream and outgoing stream of water ) are often orangish and stick out a bit so this may be what you're seeing. Keep in mind that all that is eaten of scallops (at least in the states) is the adductor muscle so there is no other structure(s) present. Maybe the Europeans are eating more of the whole scallop. If that is the case, the siphons may be what you've seen. If you eat whole clams, the siphons are often quite evident. Hope this helps. I'm quite sure you're not seeing "roe" (eggs).
John Wiessinger ( December 22, 2003)