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Barnacles. Not exactly the most inviting name. Yet this shellfish is considered a delicacy in Spain — and it comes with a hefty price tag. In every sense of the word. Fine dining at a high cost goes hand in hand with a high mortality rate among the people who harvest barnacles.
Percebes is the Spanish name for this special shellfish, for which sometimes more than one hundred euros per kilo must be paid. Prices often peak at around 200 euros per kilo in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Spaniards with deep pockets treat themselves to a decadent meal with barnacles as the star of the show. But there’s a lot that happens before they sit down to enjoy this delicacy. Men must first withstand the powerful surf along the rocky northern coast of Spain to carefully pry the barnacles loose from the rocks without damaging them. Even more dangerous: it must all be done quickly, as the large tidal difference leaves little time to harvest.
Barnacles are known for their taste, which is both salty and sweet. Lovers say it resembles lobster and oysters. The edible part of the shellfish is a small, rubbery stalk. In its full form, the animal doesn’t exactly look appetizing — mainly because of the triangular claw at the end. But Spanish shellfish lovers will not complain about what hides inside the shell as the edible treasure.
Whatever dishes you’ll be enjoying during the Christmas holidays — from the super-expensive barnacles to a much more affordable alternative — we at Van Dam Estates wish everyone a delicious meal and wonderful Christmas days.
