Apartment Therapy The Kitchn | Ingredient Spotlight: Sea Beans

Ingredient Spotlight: Sea Beans

We recently saw this odd culinary item at Far West Fungi. Sea beans? What are they, and what do you do with them? Google to the rescue ...

Sea beans, also known as pickleweed or glasswort, are a succulent plant that grow in salt marshes and on beaches. They can be eaten raw, or cooked in a little butter, or steamed. The taste has been described as a cross between spinach and asparagus. They have a high salt content, so avoid serving them with high-sodium sauces such as soy sauce, and avoid if you're on a low sodium diet.

(Image: Kathryn Hill)

Comments (5)

also known as samphfire in the uk, excelent steamed with oysters, shellfish and other seafood

posted by mojonojo on July 14th 2008 at 10:41am
view mojonojo's profile

Oh, I just read about these - there's a researcher in Mexico experimenting with them. His idea is that with rising sea levels and increasing deserts, these plants who grow with salty water, may help against hunger in the world. LA Times had this article and photos: The old man who farms with the sea.

posted by elkit on July 14th 2008 at 6:39pm
view elkit's profile

we use this a lot in turkey especially agean area. We put them in a water an change it at least to times because they are very salty, we boil them take the strings out than we serve them with yogurt and garlic, or we just put olive oil and garlic on top of them. it is served with fish as an appetizer.

posted by elcin on July 15th 2008 at 2:32am
view elcin's profile

Thanks for the info - I was wondering what those are and what to do with them. You can get them in NYC at Fairway @131st St. Maybe now I'll give them a try!

posted by ScienceandtheCity on July 15th 2008 at 9:53am
view ScienceandtheCity's profile

It's great seeing the different names we all have for one common ingredient. The Acadians call them Tétines de Souris, which translates to Mice Tit.
We used to eat them when I was younger, boiled with butter, S&P. Simple and very tasty.

posted by Food Monstar on July 17th 2009 at 1:44pm
view Food Monstar's profile