Sea Vegetable
Salicornia europaea
A tier
Salicornia europaea is marsh samphire/glasswort—segmented, salty, crisp succulent shoots of salt marshes, bright green when young. Not a true seaweed but a coastal halophyte sold as sea vegetable. Flavour is pure clean salt and green snap. Blanch briefly or steam; serve with fish and butter. Season lightly—it is already salty. Peak young summer shoots.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
BlanchFish SideSteam
Traits
CrispGreenHalophyteMarsh SpeciesSaltySalty CrispSeasonal
History
European salt-marsh peoples ate Salicornia as a seasonal green.
GB
English marsh samphire was a known coastal market green.
Restaurant culture revived samphire as a trendy fish accompaniment.