Limpet

Known as patelle (France), patella (Italy), lapa (Spain).

Limpets are rarely marketed, but may be found clinging to rocks at low tide. They have a muscle that secures them to the rocks as soon as they are touched, which makes them extremely difficult to collect, unless you take them by surprise.

If you do manage to prise them off, they may be baked in their shells, fried in butter with parsley, pepper and vinegar or eaten raw. Unfortunately, the strong muscle that clamps them to the rock so effectively also makes them exceptionally tough to eat.