Abalone

Abalone is highly prized as a delicacy in Japan and China. This seafood has cream-coloured flesh and a mild meaty flavour, similar to that of a clam. In many countries, abalone has been over-harvested and, as it needs to be picked off the rocks by hand, it can be very expensive. Abalone clings to rock with a large muscular foot, and it is this foot that is the edible part of the creature. When using fresh abalone, you need to release the foot from its shell by running a sharp knife between the two. Abalone is also sold in tins.