Mussels
Varieties
The blue mussels native to the Pacific Northwest may be wild-gathered or farmed. You can tell them apart because wild mussels are rough, while farm-raised muscles have a clean, smooth shell. Green mussels from New Zealand are larger. Mussels are sold live, frozen whole, as frozen or canned meat, sometimes smoked.
Preparation, Uses, & Tips
Inspect mussels to make sure they are tightly closed. Just before cooking, clean wild mussels by scrubbing with a stiff brush and pulling off the beard with a quick tug. Cultivated mussels need only be rinsed in cold water. To remove meat, either steam open or pry shells open and pick out meat.
Steaming
Place 1/4-inch (0.635cm) water (wine and seasoning optional) in the bottom of a large pan, and add mussels. Bring water to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until shells open (four to five minutes). Throw away mussels that don’t open. Serve mussels in bowls with broth.
Pan-frying
Heat frying pan, then add butter or oil. Add mussel meat and sauté until brown, about two to three minutes.
Storing
Refrigerate mussels in a bowl, and cover with a damp towel. Never store mussels in water or in an airtight container—either method will kill them. Mussels should be cooked as soon as possible, but keep for up to a week. To freeze, remove mussel meat from shells and wrap in freezer paper or plastic, then over-wrap with a plastic bag. Store for up to two months. To thaw, place mussels in refrigerator overnight. To thaw more quickly, wrap mussels in waterproof plastic and place in a sink with cool running water, allowing about 30 minutes per pound (about 454g). For fastest thawing, use the defrost cycle of your microwave allowing 3 to 5 minutes per 1/2 pound (227g). Let stand for 3 minutes.
Nutrition Highlights
Mussels (cooked, moist heat), 3 oz. (85g)
- Calories: 146
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrate: 6g
- Total Fat: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
*Excellent Source of: Iron (5.71mg), Manganese (5.78mg), Phosphorus (242.25mg), Riboflavin (0.36mg), Selenium (76.16mcg), and Vitamin B12 (20.40mcg)
*Good Source of: Folic Acid (64.60mcg), Niacin (2.55mg), Thiamin (0.26mg), Vitamin C (11.56mg), and Zinc (2.3mg)
Provides 0.7 grams of omega-3 fatty acids
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