Picking vongole mussels

Yesterday we saw a whole bunch of people picking vongole mussels (or whatever these mussels are called?) here in Sardinia, and then we also got the urge to try it! On the small headland where we are standing (Punta S'Aliga, south of Portovesme) there is an outer beach, which is nice to swim in, and an inner beach, with stagnant shallow water filled with seaweed - this is apparently where the mussels thrive.

Equipment for mussel picking

We kitted ourselves out with swimwear, sunglasses, sun hats, flip-flops and a cut plastic bottle to collect in and off we went. Wow, what fun! In three hours we collected about 8kg of mussels!

In the beginning it was a bit difficult to find the mussels, but as soon as we realised where they are (a bit further out) it was very easy. So now life is cheap: free accommodation and free food! Today's menu? Lunch: Vongole mussels with bread and cheese. Dinner: Vongole clams with linguine pasta.

Förmiddagens skörd av Vongole-musslor - på eftermiddagen plockade vi lika många till! — This morning's harvest of Vongole clams - in the afternoon we picked as many more!

READ MORE: Coquinas - super tasty little mussels
READ MORE: Where tourists can't find - deserted beach in Sardinia

Things to consider when picking mussels

No matter what kind of mussels you are going to pick, you should check two things: 1) that there is no temporary warning about toxic water poisoning the mussels and 2) if a licence is required for mussel picking. Regarding number 1, we just assume that everything is ok because we have seen several others picking mussels.

As for number 2, we really have no idea. I have tried googling and found that you can often pick for domestic use, but that you need a licence if you want to use the mussels for sale. What applies to Italy and Sardinia I have not found - but we saw many private individuals picking so we hope it is ok!

This is how to pick vongole mussels

First, you need to find a place where you can find vongole mussels - they are found here in Sardinia and seem to thrive in shallow warm sea water with seaweed. The mussels are shallow in the sand or among the seaweed. Just wade around until you find a 'spot'. Suddenly there are lots of them - and then you can just sit down and pick!

13 July 2015 18:05

Food and drink

exotic food, Sardinia

Helena

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18 Comments

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Madelene fryklind says:

Wow, how cool! That you managed to get so much! What a party! Chop some fresh coriander if you have it - and feel free to send a portion to Sweden!

13 July 2015 - 18:26

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Åsa says:

What a harvest! What happiness! We have seen people picking all sorts of things here but haven't dared to yet, but sometimes Sverker comes home with harpooned fish. He has been close to taking squid too, but I think he missed them on purpose! It is good with squid but damn what disgusting animals when they are alive!

13 July 2015 - 18:37

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Kors och Tvärs says:

What a wonderful activity to put together such delicious meals! Glad you found so much!

13 July 2015 - 19:05

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solan says:

Self-picking at its best!
Now I (or a friend) know what balls are on the beach... Asked via fb and got the right answer:
Well, Solan, you know that these are fibres from seaweed. Which roll back and forth and form little balls!
Yes, now we are a little wiser. Vongole greetings....

13 July 2015 - 19:15

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Matts Torebring says:

I'll pass until dessert comes in. Eat & Feel Good

13 July 2015 - 19:26

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BP says:

Sounds like picking chanterelles, but your picking sounds much more pleasant. Eight kilos - congratulations! Great job. To think - a kilo of Vongoles at the local ICA here in Täby easily goes for 229 kr/kg. So you are eating a (free) fortune right now;-)
Now I'm really jealous - I love vongoles.

13 July 2015 - 19:55

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JoY says:

Locally grown and self-picked, couldn't be better. Are they cooked like ordinary mussels, we wonder, having never eaten Vongole.
Hugs

13 July 2015 - 20:34

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Nilla says:

How clever! Do they taste like other mussels? Must have been great fun to find so many?
Have fun in the sun, on Friday we go to the sun too! At last?

13 July 2015 - 20:59

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Rolle o Carina says:

Looks nice but we'd rather eat prawns! 🙂

Have fun and enjoy....

13 July 2015 - 21:35

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Madeleine Fryklind, haha, if we could! We could easily go out and get more, but we don't have room in the fridge....

Åsa, haha I can see Sverker harpooning fish! We are not very fond of squid. Pieces and rings and such are ok, but I don't want a bunch of suckers on my plate... so I probably don't want to bring home a whole one to cook...;)

Across the board, there really is so much! The fridge limits us from getting more...

Solan, oh how nice that you checked it out! The seaweed fibre explanation makes sense!

Matts, haha, you can't like everything... but right now we're glad we like mussels!

BP, but right? It feels super luxurious and is free! (Then we live easily in other ways, have fricamped for a long time now so electricity and other things are about to be... 😉.

JoY, yes they are cooked like regular clams, but they are much smaller than mussels.

Nilla, they don't taste exactly like mussels, but the flavour is similar. Above all, they are much smaller. Wishing you a pleasant journey!

Rolle o Carina, we also like shrimps, but right now we were happy that we like mussels 😉.

13 July 2015 - 22:00

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Ama de casa says:

Cool to pick your own food like that! 🙂

I have never tried to pick them myself, but I have seen many who do. Maybe not that particular type of mussel, but many go out when the tide is out and find both one and the other 🙂.

14 July 2015 - 10:36

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Susy says:

Cosy!
Check out my website and read about Scotland 🙂 .

14 July 2015 - 10:38

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Steve says:

Luxurious! Tasty meal!

14 July 2015 - 12:02

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Marina says:

I guess supper was about the same thing...;) Tonight I'll probably sit down and catch up on my reading, there's a lot I've missed!

14 July 2015 - 14:38

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Ama de casa, I like the idea of picking your own food! Not so often you get the chance though...

Susy, thanks for the tip, I'll check it out!

Steve, right? Thanks, mate!

Marina, things happen all the time when you are travelling, so there will be a lot of blogging! 😉

14 July 2015 - 16:22

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Ditte says:

What fun to be able to pick your own vongole mussels. But it takes a lot because they are not that tasty. Maybe you will come up with a good recipe for vongole at some point.
I have only eaten them in restaurants....
Understand that you are enjoying and having a good time. Keep it up.

15 July 2015 - 18:34

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Elisabeth says:

Sounds like a good diet, at least for a few days. Do you cook them like regular clams?

16 July 2015 - 22:04

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Ditte, they are very small! We served them with pasta and seasoned with parsley and chilli! Now we have a bunch in the freezer. I think you can also mix them with shrimp, etc.

Elisabeth, we rinse them first to remove sand and then cook them like regular mussels. But they are very small so they can go well with spaghetti for example. Good to season with garlic, parsley and chilli.

17 July 2015 - 8:17

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Picking vongole mussels

Equipment for mussel picking

Things to consider when picking mussels

This is how to pick vongole mussels

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18 Comments

Madelene fryklind says:

Åsa says:

Kors och Tvärs says:

solan says:

Matts Torebring says:

BP says:

JoY says:

Nilla says:

Rolle o Carina says:

admin says:

Ama de casa says:

Susy says:

Steve says:

Marina says:

admin says:

Ditte says:

Elisabeth says:

admin says:

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