limpets/opihi

[kkam]

back in hawaii we eat limpets/opihi raw when we can get them do people ever eat them here ive seen them stuck to rocks and other objects and dont see a reason why they would be unedible and the ones we get in hawaii are pretty good

[jmrjr28]

You can definitely eat limpets here. I don't care for them raw to much but
some members of my family view them as a delicacy. My family comes from the Azores, Portugal where they're call lapas. I don't know the specific details on harvesting limpets but I do know a standard fishing license is required. We usually harvest them in Santa Cruz during low tide when they're easier to get to.

[kkam]

cool thanks for the info

[kkam]

just got back from a dive and picked some off the rocks on my way to the truck cooked them when i got home and had a nice little snack

[Silentspear]

I have seen some around mission bay in San Diego, they were all pretty small though.

[kkam]

these were bigger than a fiftycent coin and very tasty

[ekinoderminator]

there are several species of limpets on the california coast. owl limpets are the largest and considered choice eating. the limit is 35 (anything with no specific bag limit has a bag limit of 35). females are larger than males which creates a problem for the limpets because humans want the bigger limpets - thus leading to a disproportionate number of males in the gene pool. I prefer the smaller species of limpets raw and the owl limpets tenderized and panko deep fried. squeeze some lemon juice or tartar sauce and your going to be amazed. you will also develop an appreciation for them that will make you want them to be around for years to come - practice ungreedy harvesting if possible.