Subtitle: There is a very specific kind of nostalgia that hits me when the weather turns warm and I think about family trips to the coast. I can almost smell the salty ocean breeze and hear the clatter of seafood crackers at a big, noisy wooden table.
Let me tell you about the first time I saw the green stuff in a lobster.
I was a kid, at a family seafood feast. I cracked open a lobster claw, and I saw a bright green, pasty substance inside. I was confused. I thought it was some kind of mistake. I didn’t want to eat it.
My grandmother said, “It’s lobster tomalley. It’s a delicacy.”
I was still skeptical. But I tried it. And I was surprised. It was creamy and briny and delicious. It was the best part of the lobster.
Now, I eat the tomalley whenever I eat lobster.
What Is That Bright Green Stuff?
It’s called lobster tomalley. It’s the lobster’s hepatopancreas—an organ that functions like a liver and a pancreas.
It’s the lobster’s digestive organ. It helps the lobster digest its food.
It’s a delicacy. It’s considered a delicacy.
It’s creamy and flavorful. It has a rich, briny flavor.
It’s often used in sauces. It can be used to make flavorful sauces.
Is It Safe to Eat?
It’s generally safe. It’s safe to eat in moderation.
There is a potential risk. There is a risk of contamination with heavy metals.
The concern. Lobsters can accumulate toxins from their environment.
The advice. It’s best to eat it in moderation.
The Health Benefits
Rich in nutrients. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals.
Good for circulation. It’s a good source of copper.
Supports liver health. It’s a good source of selenium.
May support brain health. It’s a good source of choline.
How to Eat It
On its own. It can be eaten on its own.
In sauces. It can be used to make a flavorful sauce.
In bisques. It can be used in lobster bisque.
Spread on bread. It can be spread on bread.The Other Green Stuff
There’s another green substance you might find in a lobster: the roe (eggs).
Roe: Lobster roe is also green.
Roe is the eggs. It’s the female lobster’s eggs.
