PERIWINKLE

The sight of this makes me smile alot and it tastes just as great as it looks but I just love to concentrate more on the periwinkles.

Ya!, I told you I love good food but today I want to drop a pinch of my favorite sea food "PERIWINKLE".
I belong to a group in Nigeria referred to by many as Niger - delta and trust me periwinkle, not just for me but also for my people is an integral part of most of our meals, especially those living along the coastal belt and the rural area. For the ibibio, my people it is popularly known as "mfi".

Periwinkle (littornia spp) are herbivorous snails that feed on algae growing on rocks and seaweed on the inertial zone and could be found all year round.
It is said to be low in calories and fat but contain high amount of protein and Omega-3 fatty acid. Omrga-3 fatty acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with high health benefits as it contains vitamin B, vitamin E, iron, copper, zinc and magnesium. This contents of periwinkle is known to reduce high cholesterol thus preventing heart disease, good for healthy eyes and healthy fetus. Omega-3 improves our brain health because it affects the development of cell membranes in the neurological system in the brain.
Periwinkles are picked and sold locally in Nigeria. It could be cooked and picked out of the shell with a pin or sucked out through a tiny hole ground in the shell.
To pick the periwinkle, place the washed periwinkle in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes and then remove them immediately, poke the meat with a pin and cut the dropping, rinse in cold water and store in fridge or use immediately.
The thing I like about my periwinkle is that I love it boiled,fried and I can use it for different kinds soup, plantain dishes , just name it. Hey! I have never tried it with beans and I don't think you will like it either.
Do well to try out this sea delicacy and drop your comments on what you think..