Create a trade association to spearhead marketing. Develop solutions and strategies to extend the shelf life of seaweed. Recognize that seaweed isn’t like other seafood — it’s competing for space on the dinner plate with vegetables, Ideas like these were in abundance at the National Seaweed Symposium.
kelp
1st food safety guide for seaweed may help product advance
Connecticut-grown kelp is a little like an unopened packet of summer squash seeds left on a shelf after planting season has passed. While its potential to become a mainstay of restaurant and home-cooked meals has been promoted in recent years by growers, the media, and others, the reality hasn’t caught up. But a newly published guide could help change that.
In pilaf, salmon, manicotti, kelp’s versatility impresses chefs
A small group of restaurant professionals gathered in the Sheraton hotel kitchen on Dec. 13 for an introduction to kelp cuisine from Jeff Trombetta, professor of culinary arts at Norwalk Community College. He’s been chopping, sautéing and consuming kelp for the past four to five years, developing recipes for what he believes could become chefs’ “new go-to vegetable.”
Farmers, chefs confer about moving local kelp into the mainstream
Fueled by forkfuls of kelp and root vegetable salad, chefs brainstormed alongside current and prospective kelp growers about how to get more Connecticut sea vegetables into home and restaurant kitchens.
Sea Grant-supported science is showcased in daylong forum
The keynote speaker at CTSG’s 30th Anniversary Research Forum used an anecdote about a Norwalk bridge project to show how the work of scientists provides the foundation environmental advocates need to persuade lawmakers to take actions that benefit Long Island Sound and its watershed.
Huffington Post video about kelp farming features UConn Prof. Yarish
Titled “American Fishermen Need a Little Kelp,” a new video published by The Huffington Post features UConn Prof. Charles Yarish, who has been supported by Connecticut Sea Grant over three decades on projects to foster seaweed farming in Long Island Sound.
After 1st harvest from Groton site, kelp farmer looks to build market
As the first of the summer vegetables ripen for picking at local fields, a unique new crop had its maiden harvest from an underwater farm in Groton. It won’t be showing up at farm stands and farmers’ markets just yet, though. These long, curvy-edged, greenish-brown ribbons gathered by the boatload are, for now, awaiting consumer pioneers to fuel demand for locally grown edible seaweed, specifically kelp native to Long Island Sound.
Sea to table: fish, shellfish & sea vegetables from local waters
The Spring-Summer 2018 issue of Wrack Lines focuses on local seafood, from newly abundant species to old favorites. Read how restaurants and markets are offering local seafood, availability of fish, shellfish and kelp, the experiences of a first-time clammer and some great recipes by Connecticut chefs.