Wild food, ahoy – Grab your buckets and scissors, we’re off on another seaside adventure!
This week on the Survival Series, I’m taking a closer look at a rather tasty cold water algae:
Dillisk
Also known as dulse, this algae species is mostly found in the middle to lower shore.
Characterised by its red or purple colour, it can be found in many parts of Europe and the North Atlantic Coasts of America usually attached to rocks by means of a holdfast.
Dillisk can grow between 25cm and 45cm in length and is normally harvested during spring and summer.
It’s a rich and natural source of essential vitamins with high levels of ruffage which is perfect if you’re looking for a nibble along the seashore!
A wild food that’s very common on the west coast of Ireland, it doesn’t require soaking or cooking.
I personally love just popping a bit of dried dillisk into my mouth and chewing on it but you can also add it to salads, use it as a change to salt in soups or even drop it into a cake.
As always, happy foraging and don’t forget to source sustainably!
(Lead image via WikimediaCommons/secretlondon123)
