What is shellfish?
Q: What is shellfish?
A: Shellfish is a culinary term for some aquatic invertebrates used as food, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms.
Q: Are both saltwater and freshwater invertebrates considered shellfish?
A: Yes, both saltwater and freshwater invertebrates are considered shellfish.
Q: What types of molluscs are commonly eaten?
A: Commonly eaten molluscs include clams, mussels, oysters, winkles, and scallops.
Q: What types of crustaceans are commonly eaten?
A: Commonly eaten crustaceans include shrimp, prawns, lobsters, crayfish and crabs.
Q: Are cephalopods such as squid and octopus considered to be shellfish?
A: Cephalopods such as squid and octopus may sometimes be considered to be shellfish but this can vary from place to place.
Q: Do Jewish or Islamic dietary laws forbid the eating of shellfish?
A: Yes, Jewish and Islamic dietary laws forbid the eating of all types of shellfish - those that live on land or in water.
Q: How is shellfish used in Japanese cuisine?
A: In Japanese cuisine chefs often use shellfish and their roe in dishes like sushi or sashimi which can feature both raw and cooked varieties.
