A good fishmonger should be able to answer any of your questions or concerns. For example, they should let you smell the mussels or tell you where they were harvested from. You may be able to order fresh mussels online that are packed in ice and delivered directly to you.
Mediterranean mussels are more common in Europe and they’re harvested during the spring, summer, and fall.
Mussels need to be kept on ice before they’re sold, so pass on any mussels that are sitting out on a counter.
A great fishmonger will bag up the mussels you buy and put them on ice for you to transport home. This can help them stay fresh until you get home.
Although you can store the mussels in the fridge for a few days, you’ll get the freshest experience if you eat the mussels shortly after bringing them home.
It’s a good idea to check the mussels again after you’ve rinsed them. Discard open or cracked shells so you’re left with fresh mussels that are safer to eat.
If you bought farm-raised mussels, they’re usually debearded, so you can skip this step. You might find it easier to hold onto the beard if you pinch it between a kitchen towel before you pull.
Don’t be afraid to use some force when you’re working the knife along the shell since you’ll be cutting through tissue that connects the mussel to the shell.
If you’re concerned about whether or not to eat a mussel, trust your instincts and don’t eat questionable seafood.
Skip this step if you want to enjoy the pure taste of the mussels.
Try a vinegar and oil-based dressing, such as an Italian vinaigrette, balsamic vinaigrette, or lemon vinaigrette.
Avoid storing leftover shucked mussels since they need to be eaten immediately.
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