What Is Sea Cucumber and How Is It Used?

The sea cucumber is an oblong-shaped, gelatinous creature that is of the class Holothuroidea and distantly related to starfish and sea urchins. The sea cucumber comes by its list honestly as it is indeed shaped like a cucumber. This marine animal is considered a dainty in many unlike cuisines but is most popular in China and early asian countries. It is prevailing on the floor of the Pacific Ocean and is harvested either by divers or commercially farmed in large, manmade ponds. Sea cucumber is sold dried and freeze and needs to be boiled before it is added to stir-fries and braise dishes .

Fast Facts

• Shelf Life: 2 to 3 years
• Varieties: fresh, dried, and frozen
• Most Common Cuisine: Asian

What Is Sea Cucumber ?

There are hundreds of varieties of sea cucumber found in oceans throughout the populace. Depending on where you travel, you ‘ll find it called everything from the romantic-sounding bêche-de-mer to the reasonably less attractive “ ocean rotter. ” The taiwanese name for sea cucumber is hai shen, which translates roughly into “ sea ginseng, ” possibly referring to the food ‘s think of medicative properties.

Although sometimes sold fresh, it is more frequently that the ocean cucumber will be dried right after harvest, known as bêche-de-mer or repang, and requires rehydration before cooking. Sea cucumber is besides sold frigid and will need to be defrosted before using it. It is 1 to 3 inches thick and no more than 6 inches in length, and is very expensive, although depending on the variety show will range in price .

Varieties

There are many different varieties of sea cucumber and the comestible ones can be divided into three categories : bristly ocean cucumber, bald sea cucumber, and white nipple sea cucumber. The most expensive character, the bristly ocean cucumber is elongated and dark in tinge, with a barbed exterior. It ‘s prized for its crunchy and slightly springy texture. Those from Japan will have the highest price tag since they are the largest and superior in quality .

Bald ocean cucumber can be found in the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. It has a chubby body than the bristly sea cucumber and a libertine drumhead. Its thickly layer of human body makes this variety show softer than others. The white nipple ocean cucumber is named as such for its whitish skin with ashen dots and comes from Indonesia, Australia, and Africa .

Sea Cucumber Uses

Sea cucumber can be eaten naked, fried, and pickled, but it ‘s most much added to dishes dried where it will then rehydrate and take on its signature, despicable texture .

Like bean curd, ocean cucumber is bland but has the ability to soak up the flavors of foods and seasonings it is cooked with. This is why it is often used in soups, stir-fries, and sealed braised dishes ; it is besides combined with other seafood, meats, and spices, ampere well as distinctive taiwanese ingredients like winter melon, boodle, and mushrooms .

How to Prepare Sea Cucumber

Frozen sea cucumber needs to be thawed before using, while the dried has to be rehydrated anterior to adding to a recipe. If you have purchased dried sea cucumber, most likely the guts have been removed ( if not, you will have to do this yourself ). The rehydrating process for dried sea cucumber needs to begin ahead of time as it can take respective days ( normally four to six days ). The fresh the ocean cucumber, and the higher its quality, the less time it will take to rehydrate .

To rehydrate, place the sea cucumber in a big bowl and binding with water. Let it sit at room temperature for two to three days, changing the water daily. then, scrape the outside with a butter knife to remove any white remainder that formed during dehydration. If it ‘s piano enough to open up ( there will be a slit where the innards were removed ), scrape the inside equally well. Return the sea cucumber to a fresh bowl of water system and remove it when it has doubled in size and soft—this could take an extra day or two .

To prepare frozen sea cucumber for cook, it needs to thaw in the refrigerator overnight in its original packaging. To defrost more quickly, thaw in the microwave or in water. For the microwave method, remove the sea cucumber from the packaging, place in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on the defrost typeset for 2 to 4 minutes. To thaw in urine, keep the sea cucumber in its packaging and submerge in a bowl of cold water for 1 to 2 hours, changing the water every half hour. No matter if microwaved or thawed in water, make certain to use the ocean cucumber that day .

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How to Cook With Sea Cucumber

Whether frozen or dried, sea cucumber is cooked in the lapp direction. Add the sea cucumber to a large pot of boiling water, cover, and cook for 1 hour. If after an hour the ocean cucumber is not balmy, boil it in bracing water for an extra 30 to 90 minutes, testing for doneness every 10 to 15 minutes. The ocean cucumber should be soft but besides bounce back a little when pressed. Make sure not to overcook it or else it will fall apart. Allow the sea cucumber to rest in the body of water until it has in full cooled .

What Does It Taste Like ?

Sea cucumber has a identical neutral taste and is quite bland but will take on the flavors of the other ingredients it is cooked along with. The appeal lies more in the texture, which is slightly gelatinous while remaining solid, the hope consistency in chinese gastronomy .

Sea Cucumber Recipes

Because of the sea cucumber ‘s delicate texture, it should be added toward the end of the recipe so it does n’t fall apart during cooking. As it is a favor ingredient in China, you will find many asian recipes including sea cucumber .

Where to Buy Sea Cucumber

Fresh ocean cucumber that has already been cleaned and soaked is often available in asian markets in the cold foods section or in containers of water. It will be easier to find dried and frozen ocean cucumber, both of which are packed in sealed pouches. Sea cucumber can besides be ordered on-line .

The methods for choosing the best product are smelling and touching. The sea cucumber should not smell bad—a slenderly fishy smell is oklahoma, but it should not be hard. In terms of texture, pick a ocean cucumber that is between voiced and rock hard. besides, choose a box where there is n’t a set of white film on the exteriors of the sea cucumbers—this will make them harder to clean .

memory

Dried sea cucumber can be stored in its original box in a cool, dry place like the pantry for up to three years. Frozen should be kept in the deep-freeze in the promotion it came in and will last 24 months. Frozen sea cucumber that has been thawed in the electric refrigerator overnight can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days .

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Category : CHINESE FOOD