I have loved sea urchin from the first moment I had it. It's a prickly little creature, whose roe is a delicacy. The flavor is something like the butter of the sea, but it's way too good to spread on toast.
I passed by a heap of sea urchin at the Lobster Place today, as I have many times. Today however, something got into me. I had never processed a sea urchin before, but I love to eat them. So I figured today I would take on something new.
I picked up three and set out for an adventure . . . . and a fine snack.
I had no idea where to start, whenever this is the case I head to what I think is the most underrated, underused resource in the world: youtube. I watched a few videos, you simply hold the thing in your hand and, using kitchen shears, make a cut around the bottom (the side the mouth is on). Give it a smell to test for freshness, (one of mine was definitely funky) Then you simply scoop the roe out with a spoon, pull off any gunk. . . . . and enjoy.
These sea urchin were very good, though not the best I've ever had. It's certainly more economical to get them whole and pick them yourself. These three cost me just over eight dollars, nothing compared to the sky high prices I've paid for the ready-to-eat roe.
If you're looking for something new, maybe you'll be willing to take the leap too.
