Sashimi quality Scallops

I love scallops for sashimi, but going to sushi place to get my fix is expensive. Any suggestions on where/how to buy sashimi quality scallops? A couple local asian grocery stores sell sashimi quality fish and octopus, but not scallop. :( Would buying frozen ones be a big mistake?

UD

Original Post by umneydurak:

 Would buying frozen ones be a big mistake?

I would think so. The texture is just not the same after defrosting a frozen meat. Plus I'd also be iffy about quality.

Freezing seafood before eating it raw is the only sure way to eliminate parasites.  I would go with the frozen, but that's just me. 

Unless you live on the coast, just about any seafood you get will have been frozen in order to get to you. Me - I live in the middle of the desert, so frozen is the only way I ever get seafood.

I'm not big on sushi, so I'm not sure about frozen scallops for sashimi, but the way I defrost them is to place them in a colander, put the colander in a bowl, cover the whole thing with plastic wrap, then leave in the fridge for a day. The texture was fine.

Note that freezing might kill parasites, but it won't damage most bacteria, so do look for scallops meant for sushi or ceviche.

I love scallops, but I also can't afford to eat the best all the time.  I've found the frozen ones at TJ's to be an acceptable alternative.  I wouldn't eat them raw, but they taste pretty good cooked and are very delicate like sushi grade. 

I'd leave this with the professionals.  I'm OK with raw oysters in the winter, but I've gotten violently sick on them in warm weather.  Scallops go beyond that for health risk.

I'd only do it if I was the one shucking the scallop, but I've never seen anyone selling them in the shell in North America.  Maybe you could find something in Nova Scotia or Nantucket.  Maybe you should look for fresh geoduck, which makes excellent sashimi.

I wonder where the local sushi places order them from. I am sure they are frozen also, just like the rest of the sashimi they serve.

UD

http://www.catalinaop.com/Scallops_Hotategai_ s/61.htm

The above is where a lot of sushi restaurants get their fish... and I have some other website too but this one is most popular - the only problem is that when they sell to individuals the shipping is quite expensive. Do you have a whole foods near by>? Typically the fish mongers know their stuff and if you ask them about the scallops they have they can tell you weather or not you can serve them sashimi style - speaking of: if you do have a whole foods near by... they can order you any fish under the sun that you may want, and this December they are starting a new sushi program that might just include scallops!

Yeah I have Whole Foods near by, although I don't really like shopping there. lol. I'll ask them about it. Although I wasn't too impressed with their answer when I asked if the Tuna that was labeled "sear" quality was also sashimi quality and they said yes. I wasn't sure how long it was seating on that counter, so I didn't risk it.

UD

Original Post by umneydurak:

Yeah I have Whole Foods near by, although I don't really like shopping there. lol. I'll ask them about it. Although I wasn't too impressed with their answer when I asked if the Tuna that was labeled "sear" quality was also sashimi quality and they said yes. I wasn't sure how long it was seating on that counter, so I didn't risk it.

UD

I guess all Whole Foods are different cause the one by me... the fish mongers are completely on-top of their game, as if they went to "fish school" or something! ha ha! In any case, good luck with your search, if you find some: let me know, I adore scallops!