Blood Cockles: What Are They? How Much Does 1kg Cost? Proper Preparation and Delicious Dishes

Blood Cockles, a nutritious and delicious seafood, offer many health benefits. But not everyone knows what blood cockles are, how much they cost, or how to prepare them into delicious dishes. In this article, we will explore the health benefits of blood cockles and learn about some tasty dishes made from them.

I. What Are Blood Cockles?

1. Identification of Blood Cockles

Blood cockles have a round, egg-shaped appearance with a thick outer shell. Inside, this shell is divided into two halves by a central ridge, creating a flat diamond shape. The shell’s color is usually brown or black with ridges on the surface, and there are small raised dots on them. Inside the shell, blood cockle meat is porcelain white and stands out with its high nutritional value.

2. Nutritional Value of Blood Cockles

Blood cockles have a sweet and slightly salty taste, and they are considered to have a cooling effect in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They offer numerous health benefits, especially for cardiovascular and digestive health. Here are some of the benefits and nutritional components of blood cockles:

Benefits of Blood Cockles:

• Cardiovascular Health: Blood cockles contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the heart. While the omega-3 content is not as high as in other fish like salmon, it still supports heart function. Vitamin B12 in blood cockles is also beneficial for cardiovascular health.

• Brain Function: Nutrients in blood cockles, including omega-3 and vitamin B12, support brain health. Studies have shown that a lack of omega-3 and vitamin B12 can lead to brain development issues in children and affect brain function in adults. Blood cockles provide these nutrients and may help prevent brain aging.

• Immune System Boost: Blood cockles are rich in zinc, an essential mineral that strengthens the immune system. Zinc also acts as an antioxidant, helping to prevent inflammation and the risk of cancer.

Nutritional Composition of Blood Cockles:

• Blood cockles have high nutritional value, containing plenty of valuable nutrients with rich protein and low fat content. Additionally, they provide essential minerals that support overall health and development.

II. How Much Does 1kg of Blood Cockles Cost?

So, how much does 1kg of blood cockles cost? Currently, on the market, blood cockles are priced as follows:

• Blood cockles, size 120-130 pieces/kg: from 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND per kg
• Blood cockles, size 100 pieces/kg: around 160,000 VND
• Blood cockles, size 70-80 pieces/kg: 200,000 VND
• Blood cockles, size 50-60 pieces/kg: from 200,000 VND to 300,000 VND
• Large blood cockles, size 20-30 pieces/kg: from 300,000 VND to 500,000 VND per kg

III. Proper Preparation of Blood Cockles

There are several methods to prepare blood cockles to remove sand and impurities:

• Using Rice Water: Place blood cockles in rice water for about 1-2 hours. Rice water helps blood cockles eliminate sand and dirt inside. Afterward, gently rub the shells to clean them further.

• Using Salty Chili Water: Similarly, you can soak blood cockles in water with a little salt and chili for 1-2 hours. The saltiness and spiciness will stimulate the cockles to open their mouths and effectively remove sand and impurities.

• Using Metal Objects: Drop some metal objects like spoons, chopsticks, or knives into the water with blood cockles. After about 30 – 60 minutes, the blood cockles will start expelling sand and impurities from their guts.

• Using Sesame Oil: If you have sesame oil available, you can dilute it with water and soak the blood cockles in this mixture. Sesame oil helps remove sand and impurities from inside the blood cockles effectively.

These methods will help clean blood cockles, ensuring you can enjoy a delicious and safe meal.

IV. Delicious Dishes from Blood Cockles

1. Blood Cockles Stir-Fried with Garlic Butter

To prepare this dish, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients:

– 2 bulbs of garlic
– 1.5kg blood cockles
– 20g butter
– 1 teaspoon seasoning powder
– 2 tablespoons white sugar
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 tablespoon cooking oil
– 1 handful of Vietnamese coriander (rau răm)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

– Wash the blood cockles thoroughly with water to remove any mud or sand. Soak them with a few slices of chili or in rice water for about 1-2 hours to help the cockles expel sand.
– Rinse the blood cockles again to ensure they are clean, then drain them.
– Peel and finely chop the garlic and wash the Vietnamese coriander.

Step 2: Stir-Fry the Blood Cockles with Garlic Butter

– Heat 20g of butter and 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant and turns golden.
– Then, add the blood cockles to the pan, followed by sugar, seasoning powder, and black pepper to season the cockles evenly. Stir-fry until the blood cockles are cooked and flavorful.
– Once the blood cockles are cooked and have a delicious taste, add the fried garlic into the pan, mix well with the blood cockles, and turn off the heat.

Step 3: Presentation

– To complete the dish, you can place the stir-fried blood cockles on a plate and garnish with fresh Vietnamese coriander.
– Blood Cockles Stir-Fried with Garlic Butter is a delightful snack with tender, sweet blood cockle meat, the aromatic flavor of fried garlic, and the unique taste of butter.

2. Grilled Blood Cockles with Scallion Oil

Ingredients:

– 1kg blood cockles
– 5 stalks of scallion
– 50g lard
– 2 chili peppers
– 3 cloves of garlic
– 1 fresh lime
– 50g roasted peanuts
– Seasonings: sugar, salt, vinegar, fish sauce, MSG (optional)

Here’s how to make Grilled Blood Cockles with Scallion Oil:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

– Rinse the blood cockles thoroughly with water until the water runs clear. Then, soak the blood cockles in a diluted saltwater solution with chili slices for 2-3 hours to allow them to open their mouths and remove any remaining sand or dirt.
– Boil the blood cockles in water for about 5 minutes until they open their mouths completely. Then, remove them, drain the water, and peel off the shells.
– Wash the scallion and cut it into small pieces. Peel and rinse the garlic, then roast the peanuts and crush them.

Step 2: Make Scallion Oil

Heat the lard in a pan and add the chopped scallion, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of MSG (if using). When the scallions become fragrant and the lard turns golden, remove the mixture from the heat and transfer it to a bowl.

Step 3: Grill the Blood Cockles

– Prepare a charcoal grill and place a grilling rack over it. Arrange the blood cockles on the rack and brush each cockle with the scallion oil.
– Grill the blood cockles on the charcoal grill for about 10 minutes or until they are cooked and the scallion oil has a beautiful golden color.

The finished dish is Grilled Blood Cockles with Scallion Oil, which has a delightful aroma and flavor. The tender blood cockle meat is complemented by the crispy and fragrant scallion oil and roasted peanuts, making it a delicious treat.

3. Blood Cockle Soup

Ingredients for Blood Cockle Soup

– 300g blood cockles
– 100g straw mushrooms
– 1 water mimosa stem
– 2 toads (optional)
– 2 limes
– 3 cloves of garlic
– 3 bird’s eye chili peppers
– Vietnamese mint (rau quế)
– 2 sprigs of mint
– 2 sprigs of coriander
– 1 onion
– Fish sauce, salt, and sugar for seasoning

Here’s how to make Blood Cockle Soup:

Step 1: Prepare the Blood Cockles and Other Ingredients

– Rinse the blood cockles thoroughly with water to remove mud and sand.
– Soak the blood cockles in diluted saltwater (about 1-2% of the water volume) for a short time, approximately 30 minutes. This helps the blood cockles release any remaining dirt, sand, or impurities.
– Afterward, let the blood cockles drain naturally.
– Place the prepared blood cockles in a container, seal it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator’s cool compartment. Blood cockles can be stored for about 3-5 days while remaining fresh.

V/ Conclusion

I hope you find this information helpful for understanding blood cockles, their nutritional value, pricing, preparation, and some delicious dishes you can make with them. Enjoy your culinary adventures with blood cockles!