Intertidal foods - the gourmet bounty of the sea!

Though the environment around Ketchikan has been subtly changing over the past 10 years, traditional intertidal foods like gumboots, sea cucumbers, seaweed, limpets, beach asparagus, herring eggs can still be found in relative abundance, though not in the same numbers or locations as in the past.  

Gumboots from near Rotary Beach, a bit rubbery but full of iron and abundant!

As part of my research project, I've been auditing a course that brings together biologists, anthropologists, and traditional food experts.  These past three weeks, we've been enjoying a variety of beach foods starting with gumboots, pictured in the top image, to a full multi-course meal including beach asparagus spring rolls, deep-fried seacucumbers, black seaweed fried rice, and halibut sweet and sour soup.  

While the people in the class have been invaluable in helping me think through my project, I must admit the food is a huge plus.