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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 12, 1979 - Gifts of the SeaAPRIL 12, 1979 Most, if not all of us, enjoy walking along our beaches, whether it's the rocky, rough beach of the--Sound or the soft, sandy beaches of our bays. I feel this fascination of ele beachcombing is an instinct that we of today follow unknowingly. The reason I believe this is that in early days, when man was just evolving he followed the beaches for food whenever he could. It was here that food could be found without the great dangers and uncertainties of the hunt. Some of us still gather food in this ancient way. Just last fall millions of scallops were driven up on many of our local beaches by strong winds and high tides. When I was teaching I could tell when this occurred, as certain students would be out reaping the windfall and not show up for class. After all, isn't that one of the attributes of the prudent New Englander? I. too, have taken ad- vantage of these huge windrows of storm - tossed delicacies- nd- come -home with baskets full. Living on Fire Island as an interpreter for the National Seashore during the summer I often comb the beach after a storm with my wife to glean the surf clams and black mussels that storms have tossed on that great barrier beach. It's too bad more people don't utilize this great surf clam. Granted it is even larger than our chowder clams, but ground up and put into one of my wife's clam chowders or clam bisoues you too would sing its praises. After all, one of the great eating chains, known for its fried clams,utilizes these surf clams that boats bring into Greenport for processing. Both Are Good Eating The black mussel is found in the cooler water of both our Sound and Ocean. Many's Fd the time I've gone skindiving in the Sound and had poor luck getting fish, only to return home well rewarded with a catch of black mussels found growing among the rocks. These black mussels are stubbier than the longer, ribbed mussels from our creeks. Those too, can be eaten, but in many people's minds they are not as tasty as the black. It's flounder- fishing time and mussels make great bait. So just for fun, the next time you collect some, pick out the best, scrub them a bit and then steam ... dipped in butter, you'll be amazed how good they are. And if I'm wrong, use the steamed mussels for bait, as in that form they're so much easier to put on the hook. It's a frustrating experience trying to impale, that fresh, uncooked, slippery mass of mussel on a umall flounder hook. Another spoil that's tossed on our shore, but goes unnoticed by so many, is the frost fish of late fall. For some unknown reason there are times when these fish are found, literally by the hundreds, stranded on our Sound and Ocean beaches. Why this phenomenon occurs, no one seems to know. Some say it is when the fish are in their ravenous pursuit of food toward the beach. They over shoot their target and become stranded out of the water. Why we don't find them during the day is simple. The ever - present early morning gull wouldn't leave a good fresh meal long on the beach. His early cleanup is thorough. Welcome Change Diet This stranding on the beach does occur, for I've collected earl eaten them from our cold Sound shore eight here in Peconic. The old timers know what Tril talking about. and will vouch for their appearance. Word would spread that the frost fish were in and that evening cars would be parked along Kenny' s Beach, Duck Pond, Mattituck Inlet and Iron bier, and flashlights would be seen bobbing up and down the beach as eager men and boys looked for the elusive frost fish. At that time of year it was a welcome change in diet in the olden days when fish markets and frozen fish were unheard of. We can buy this fish in our market today, under the name of whiting. There's no sweeter fish to be had, but being a soft - fleshed fish it does not keep well and for this reason it has not been more popular. Besides these edibles from the sea, many other rewards are found along the high tide mark. The one I look forward to about this time of year is the dead salt marsh grass wJelly Beans that builds up along our creek edges. If r only had -the- time. -I'd- collect this natural mulch and do my entire garden. The reason for its superiority as a mulch is that it carries no weed seeds, it lies tight to the ground after a rain and it lasts longer than most other mulches. So for those who live along our beaches and creek areas. do take advantage of this free and wonderful mulch. The sea has many treasures: some we have to work for: others require com- plicated and expensive equipment to gather. but the free gifts of the sea are endless. Take advantage of one or all of them and you'll find that they are not only most rewarding but that the effort in getting out will provide a healthy outdoor activity.