Monterey Abalone Tostadas with Avocado and Salsa Arisbel

Abalone are actually prehistoric sea creatures, unremarkable from the outside but prized on the inside. They are a staple of North American Indigenous culture and cuisine. Be sure the abalone you purchase is sustainably sourced and farm-raised, as opposed to wild-caught. Fresh abalone, though expensive and not always easy to find, is worth the effort. It is available online through the Monterey Abalone Company. I’ve given cleaning instructions below, but I highly recommend you ask your loca