Digging Scallops

I am a seafood lover, but this has not always been the case. As children growing up in New England, my younger brothers and I were served swordfish on a regular basis. This may sound luxurious, but in those days, swordfish was a local staple harvested from the nearby Atlantic waters, and my mother was determined to serve us fish in the spirit of a well-rounded diet. Swordfish night was not a popular event.

I confess that we took drastic measures to choke down our dinner. Since it was effectively a prerequisite to our desired dessert, my brothers and I often resorted to dousing our swordfish steaks in ketchup (as the eldest, I take full responsibility). Mercifully, when information about mercury levels in swordfish became more widely known, it suddenly disappeared from our dinner rotation. We were not upset.

As my interest in food grew, I outgrew my categorical aversion to seafood. I started by eating milder white fish and seafood, deemed “un-fishy” in flavor. And then I discovered scallops. Sea scallops were and are unlike any other fish or shellfish I have eaten, and wonderfully un-fishy. Creamy white and cylindrical in shape, they don’t even resemble fish, and their flavor is lusciously buttery and sweet. When cooked well — preferably seared – – they develop a crispy caramelized crust that gives way to a juicy, tender interior. I was hooked then and remain hooked to this day.

Scallops are easy to prepare in a pan. You can serve them with sauces and accompaniments, add them to pasta and rice, or simply enjoy them on their own. Their natural sweetness is com- plemented by bright citrus and crisp, sweet vegetables, such as corn and bell peppers, which make them a delightful summer meal. For best results, here are a few simple yet important steps to searing scallops.

Dry:

Line a large plate or cooking tray with paper towels. Place the scallops on the tray and then place another paper towel over the scallops. Gently press to blot any moisture. Let stand for 5 minutes, then discard the towels. This will remove any excess moisture and pre- vent the scallops from steaming when searing.

Sear:

The best way to cook a scallop is to sear it. Use a cast-iron skillet if possi- ble. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes, then add oil and continue to heat until the oil is shimmering. Arrange the scallops in the skillet without overcrowding. Sear, undisturbed, until a golden crust forms around the base and the scallop releas- es with ease from the pan when lifted with a spatula. Do not disturb the scal- lops until they release easily! Then flip and sear the other side of the scallop.

Size:

Choose the largest scallops you can find. Sizes range from 10 to 40 per pound. Their sizes are measured by the count to a pound and labeled U/10, U/15, etc. The U stands for “under,” which means that U/15 scallops will have a count of 15 or under for 1 pound. U/10 and U/15 are the largest and ideal for searing.

Seared Sea Scallops With Sweet Corn Salad and Garden Salsa 

Active time: 30 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Yield: Serves 4 

Salsa
1 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded,  chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt, or more to taste A few grinds of freshly ground black  pepper
1/4 cup olive oil 

Salad 

Corn kernels from 2 ears of corn (or 2 cups defrosted frozen corn) 

2 scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced 

1 red bell pepper, seeded, diced 

1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded, finely chopped 

1/4 cup Italian parsley leaves,  chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black  pepper
Dash of hot sauce
16 to 20 large (U/15) sea scallops Salt and freshly ground black pep-per
2 tablespoons olive oil