Fresh-Frozen Sea Urchin In Shell

Sea urchins opened in the shell, the top cut away to show five lobes of bright orange roe packed into the cup. The outside is a close mat of short purple-brown spines, and the inside walls of the shell are a deep violet. They are shown three ways: a single opened urchin on a stoneware plate beside a small cup; four on white paper with lemon wedges and a green leaf; and four set out on a steel tray, the roe glowing orange against the spines.

The roe is rich and buttery with a faint sweetness and a clean sea finish, soft enough to spread. Serve it raw as sashimi or over sushi rice, spoon it onto toast, or use it to finish a pasta or a warm bowl of rice.

• Opened in the shell
• Five lobes of bright orange roe
• Purple-brown spiny shell
• Serve raw as sashimi or over rice

Keep frozen at -18°C or below. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator and eat within a day of thawing.