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Marsh samphire


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Old 05-07-2012, 14:20
Justabloke
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I had some of this strange looking vegetable turn up in my veggie box this week.
It was something I was aware of but had never had the opportunity to try.

It was gorgeous! I steamed it for a few minutes and served it with a simple dressing of lemon juice, olive oil and black pepper, served it warm as a starter with some crusty bread.
No salt required because it has a saltiness from the coastal marshes where it grows; as I understand it , it isn't culivated and only grows wild along the East Anglian coast.

I can't wait until I get the opportunity to try again which won't be until next season
Has anyone else tried it? If so how did you have it?
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Old 05-07-2012, 14:43
Shrike
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I had it in a restuarant recently with a fish dish - probably cooked much as you describe.
I wasn't expecting the saltyness but given where it grows I probably should have
Its a nice change to the usual greens - I will probably try cooking it myself if I see it and its not too expensive.
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Old 05-07-2012, 15:00
Justabloke
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I've seen it mentioned on a couple of cookery shows but have never seen it on a menu... I'll have it if I do though
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Old 05-07-2012, 15:32
farmhand
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I live near the Anglian coast so sometimes pick my own. It is a truly superb delicacy, perhaps the best of all distinctly British veg. (It must grow elsewhere but I've never heard of anybody else eating it.)

I think it begs to be eaten with fish so have never had it with anything else and always boil it to remove some of the saltiness.

I have also seen it pickled and in salads, but there's no telling what an imaginative cook might come up with.

I think it would go great with Japanese cooking, or mixed with other seaweeds for a true sea salad....

It's just occurred to me....serve oysters on a bed of samphire. 'Nuff said *** Michellin stars to me, thank you!
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Old 05-07-2012, 15:37
MelodyMaker
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I've also had it in my veg box recently and it was delicious with some grilled lemon sole, my hubby turned his nose up at it when I first dished it up but once he'd tried he, he loved it.
I've heard it described as salty asparagus but to me it doesn't quite have the same taste.
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Old 05-07-2012, 15:39
Teddybleads
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The Japanese do indeed use samphire in their cuisine and it's popular on parts of the continent too. I quite like it raw with a carpaccio of fish.
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Old 05-07-2012, 15:40
Utopian Girl
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It's really lovely. I bought some samphire from our market a while back, didn't eat it all so I pickled it in white wine vinegar - really works, it's lovely!

I can buy it locally so it one thing I'm lucky with, for a change.
I'd love to live near Borough Market!
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Old 05-07-2012, 16:00
Justabloke
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yes, I can see it with sushi or similar it would work really well.

I did try a few bits raw and I liked it that way as well although it was too salty raw, even after washing.

Not so sure about pickled although I do liek pickles in general

I'll certainly be snapping it up if I see any on sale.
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Old 05-07-2012, 16:03
Pumping Iron
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I have picked it many times in both North and South Wales, I don't think its restricted to just EA. Anyhow I agree its delicious.
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Old 05-07-2012, 16:18
Justabloke
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I have picked it many times in both North and South Wales, I don't think its restricted to just EA. Anyhow I agree its delicious.
Good!
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Old 05-07-2012, 17:32
degsyhufc
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I had it for the first time this year. After watching many Rick Stein programmes I know it goes well with fish, but apparently it also goes well with lamb.

Don't know why I said 'apparently' because I made it with lamb and it was very nice indeed.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...postcount=2043
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...postcount=2001

It's not restricted to EA. I've seen on programmes it being picked in the salt marshes of Wales and on the Cliffs in Kent.
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Old 05-07-2012, 20:27
funky_elephant
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I've seen it in our local M&S (which has a large food hall) so perhaps other retailers will follow suit and make it more easily available.
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Old 05-07-2012, 22:01
Andy Birkenhead
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I see it in Asda all the time, in a plastic box with a lid.
I've never used it though
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Old 05-07-2012, 22:13
Justabloke
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I've seen it in our local M&S (which has a large food hall) so perhaps other retailers will follow suit and make it more easily available.
I see it in Asda all the time, in a plastic box with a lid.
I've never used it though
Hmmm... I don't frequent the veggie ailses of supermarkets cos I get a box delivered, I might check out my local waitrose this weekend.
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Old 05-07-2012, 22:46
Tt88
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I live near to a place where its grown and my parents and grandparents would quite often have some. I would always try it and it always tasted disgusting! Ours tasted vinegary and had a horrible texture.

And ive always pronounced it samfer so i get annoyed when posh chefs say samphire even though im guessing they are correct!
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Old 06-07-2012, 18:30
degsyhufc
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Our ASDA is the only place i've seen it sold.
Not just salty but also quite peppery.
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Old 08-07-2012, 11:51
stud u like
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It grows wild in Kent.

Samphire Hoe.
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Old 08-07-2012, 13:52
DaisyBumbleroot
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I tried samphire once and found it too salty, but people say its really nice so I should try it again really.
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