Lions Paw Scallop

A local friend dove down and brought this to our boat. It is a Lions Paw Scallop and the meat is as big as my fist. Yes, that is a clothespin keeping it from closing up; gives you a good idea of the size of that thing!

It is illegal in Mexico for gringos to dive for shellfish of any kind. That's a real drag since lobster and scallops and clams and shrimp are high on our list of favorite cuisine. You definitely do NOT want to be caught by the Mexican authorities harvesting shellfish.  Last year in Loreto a cruiser's dinghy was confiscated after he was discovered with a dive bag full of clams. He did manage to get it back, but he had to bus to La Paz, pay a hefty fine, and return with proof of payment before he got his dinghy returned. In the interim, I don't know how he got to shore. However, locals are allowed to fish for whatever they want and we were lucky enough this day to have this particular local share his dinner with us. This is as fresh as it gets. A little butter... a little garlic... bon appetit!

After dinner, Jim commented that these scallops were so tender he could cut them with his tongue!