Hello, steemit!
This weekend I spent in very intense way. I was gathering mussels. it was funny and tough affair.
I have never gather mussels before. It was the first time, however I was prepared. If you want to go for mussels you should know that is a bit dangerous, and you should have some equipment. Usually mussels locat not deep, but they are attached to rocks or hiding in plants. The bottom (where are mussels) always is sharp because of their shells and exactly becouse of this you should have some equipment .
It isn't something special. For example I was wearing old sneakers and gardeners gloves. It protected my feets and hands.
Collecting mussels right at the shore does not make sense. It is better to find a place where it is shallow and go away. The farther you go, the more likely it is to find a place where no one else has collected the coins.
Gathering mussels takes time and patience. When I started I realized that mussels at bay not as big as at the shop. And it was hard to find really big one. Mussels are in bundles with big, everage and very little shells. Some people who gather it with purpose to sell take all and throw away little shells on the shore. But I was cleaned them up on place. I'm not sure, but I think such usage can bring damage to environment, so I just put little shells back.
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I was gathering mussels couple hours. At the and we had about 4 pounds shells.
When I got home I started preparing them. Telling truth, it was one more challenge! the first step was to wash and clean mussels up from sand and seaweeds. Second step to boil them to make them open. Third step is to extract meat and one more time to clean it up from seaweeds inside carcasses. And fourth is the most easy- to put prepared mussels in olive oil with garlic and condiments. It's the only easy way to cook I know. Do you knew other - just share!