Scallops from the Cape, Vineyard, or Nantucket?

[deweyweber54]

All - Think these beauties should just be coming into season about now...
Anyone found any around?
Can't wait to try some raw, ceviche, or cooked for around 30 seconds.

Thanks!

DW

[phatchris]

Courthouse has them.

[mvi]

New Deal Fish Market in East Cambridge has them and they are perfect.

[Splendid Spatula]

Last Saturday, New Deal's were from Martha's Vineyard, $29.99/lb. Carl said they expect to have them in for a couple of months at least, until it becomes too cold to harvest them.

[mvi]

Yes, they are from MV and those are especially delicious, in my opinion!

[CapeCodGuy]

I can't find any discernible difference between bay scallops whether from The Vineyard, Nantucket, or the Cape. They are all yummy to be sure.

[FriedClamFanatic]

I agree......and while there may be very slight differences in taste...........not enough to justify the price, IMHO

[CapeCodGuy]

Not sure I understand what you mean FCF, they all cost roughly the same, $24.99 -$29.99 per pound. Expensive for sure, but well worth the tariff IMO. So much better than fresh local sea scallops, and don't get me wrong. I LOVE sea scallops.

[FriedClamFanatic]

Better than Sea Scallops, I agree. But 4X the price of Asian Farm Scallops, I'm not sure. Yes, Kobe Beef is nicer than Filets and Filets are better than Chuck...but when you are up in the $25 range per pound it better be markedly better (and yeah......I pay at least that for a fried clam plate.but that includes fries and a setting!.LOL)

[typhoonfish]

Do I need to dig out my pictures. : )

Historically Nantucket generally has a larger scallop than vineyard "eraserheads". Chathams this year were small as well.

This year we're finding that there's not a ton of difference in size.

[CapeCodGuy]

Typhoonfish, I'm not sure I'd give the larger scallop any edge over the smaller so I don't see them as any better. I love the tiny ones as the sweet flavor seems more concentrated (although it's entirely possible that is perception vs. reality). The one's I get here listed as Cape Bays are usually a mix of small, medium, and larger scallops anyway. Rarely are they uniform in size.

[typhoonfish]

I also sell a Cape Cod bay Sea scallop which is day boat out of Provincetown. They are 20-30s. Some days 40s. I've seen these incorrectly listed as "bay scallops".

People use the term "cape bays" so they can mix and match what they're buying and not be limited to one kind. We made the decision long ago to stick with nantucket and print it on our packaging, so I'm limited in what I can buy.

Certain fishermen have their honey holes and often can get pretty uniform scallops based on the cull their seeing.

This year as I said, the scallops are much smaller and I've noticed a ton of variation in the sizing.

[CapeCodGuy]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[CapeCodGuy]

FCF.......Asian Farm Scallops? No contest.! They're not even a distant cousin to local bays in terms of sweetness, texture and taste. So yes, they are certainly "markedly better and worth the premium price IMO. That's like comparing frozen HoJo's clam strips to fresh whole belly Ipswich....an analogy right in your wheelhouse!

[FriedClamFanatic]

I stand.......chastened

[CapeCodGuy]

Sorry...I take my scallops seriously.... :-)

[typhoonfish]

I couldn't even bear to respond to an asian scallop question. Like asking if we can compare the handling characteristics of a Ford Econoline to a Ferrari 599.

Some seafoods I wouldn't feed to my children. Anything processed in Asia (scallops/tilapia and shrimp).

[Splendid Spatula]

Once a year splurge for us!

[9lives]

I bought some at James Hook a few weeks ago for $29.99/lb and someone reported seeing them at Mercato de Mare in the North End. Hook's did not have them last week.

re Sandy, I think it was probably a 1-2 day disruption up here. We didn't sustain anywhere near the damage that the poor people on LI did.

[CapeCodGuy]

Cape and Nantucket bays have been readily available here on the Cape since the first week of October. Usually around $24.99 per pound.

[foodieX2]

yup was just going to say the same. Got some at Edgartown seafood a few weeks back. So sweet, just like candy..

[coll]

I just heard that here on Long Island, due to the hurricane, our season for Peconics is starting late, this Tuesday. Don't know how bad the storm hit you though.

[typhoonfish]

Peconics had a huge die-off.

[coll]

Oh well, glad I had some last year. Although I will keep my eyes open anyway, starting tomorrow.

[typhoonfish]

Correction: I just talked to a scalloper on LI. He said "don't believe everything you read in the paper".

They are getting some.

[coll]

Thanks for the tip, I am on a mission now.

[MacTAC]

I heard the same thing yesterday at Braun's. They were delicious last night, and so far we feel fine today :-)

Southold Fish Market also had their Peconic Bay Scallops sign out, though they were closed.

[coll]

Don't know if I'm up for a trip to Mastic, and I'm not in love with Buoy One. Maybe tomorrow the secret fish place on Middle Road will have them.....I will be passing by and let you know.