3/20 Sea Weed

Exceptionally low tides have faciliated seaweed foraging this week. At Cooneymus I found bladderwrack, also known as rockweed, and collected a quantity of Irish Moss. According to Wild Man, Steve Brill, expert forager, bladderwrack must be cooked for an hour to be tenderized. I am going to try adding it to my lentil soup tonight, although my roommate Megsy does not have high hopes, commenting that it smells like something died in our house. The Irish moss is drying out. Once it turns white I will make the pudding blancmange with it, although I am tempted to make it this weekend for the Block Island Poetry Project teachers so they can get a true taste of the island. Today the tide was the lowest I've ever seen it off Ccopacatty's, one of the squad's favorite dive spots. With a pair of rubber boots,one could have walked to Guano Rock. Eel grass beds were exposed, as were rocks covered in copious bladderwrack. The real thrill for me, however, was finding several strands of kelp, known in Japanese as the delicious kombu, and one strand of sea lettuce. According to Brill, sea lettuce must be eaten immediately. I'll report later on its flavor and effects. Carol Payne showed me a seahorse she found lying on the beach last Sunday in this location. Today is the Spring Equinox. I look forward to diving with you all soon!
Whitewave