Sea Scallops

Sea Scallops

(Placopecten magellanicus)

Sea scallops are called giant scallops in some areas, where they are known as the King of Scallops. They can be found in the eastern North Atlantic from northern Gulf of St. Lawrence and northern Newfoundland to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

The sea scallop is a bivalve--it has two valves or shells. Both are round, almost equal in diameter, and held together by a small, straight hinge and the adductor muscle. The lower valve is white or cream in color and the upper is usually reddish. Inside these shells is the "meat" (the adductor muscle), which is the part of the scallop commonly eaten in North America.  It happens to be my most favorite sea food!  They always taste better when someone else cooks them!   (Photo: Wikipedia)

Here in Atlantic Canada, we actually have scallop farms (aquaculture).  I was lucky enough to help a fledgling farm a few years back.  I worked with scallops the size of dimes and nickels,

counting and sorting, and readying them for the next stage of their development.

The shape of the scallop shell has been used by crafters and business for centuries, and I am no exception.  (Photo: http://www.internetstones.com/)


Here is a scrappy snowball quilt that I made for my neighbor as a thank you for his many kindnesses over the years.  I hope it keeps him warm while watching his beloved hockey games

during the coming winter months.