Indeed you have tasted and eaten delicious seafood. We know that these foods provide many nutrients and are highly recommended for a healthy and balanced diet. Within this group of seafood are the coveted scallops.
Are you sure you know the difference between the words scollop and scallop? The answer is that there is no difference; they are synonyms. Then you may ask yourself, when do I use Scollop and when do I use Scallop? The answer is that you can use either one without changing the meaning of your sentence.
The scollop-scallop confusion is a very curious and typical case. Many people wonder and argue that one of these two words is incorrect or misspelled. The reality is that both can be used without committing a language error. So let’s explain a little about the origin of these words and what they mean.
What Exactly Is A Scallop Or Scollop?
I am sure that if you have never eaten scallops, you have at least seen them on your visit to the supermarket or fishmonger. You probably know it as those little white and very tender nuggets that many fish or seafood stores have.
Scallops or scollops are bivalves or mollusks with two shells that can move. What we eat and almost everyone likes is the muscle that makes the shell open and close.
Scallops are very versatile, as they can be used to create anything from simple meals to gourmet dishes worthy of a king or head of state. You can use them to prepare a simple pasta dish, or they can be the star of a fine dining restaurant.
You also should know that there are many types of scallops, such as sea scallops, bay scallops, and many others.
The Origin Of Scallop And Scollop
As we have seen so far, both words are correct and mean practically the same thing. However, it is expected that you are still curious to know why two words are spelled almost the same to define the same concept. Below we will explain the origin of each word.
Scallop
A scallop is the most common and recognized name for this seafood. A scallop is mainly applied to any of the types of saltwater or double-shell clams of the Pectinidae family.
But you should know that the name Scallop is also sometimes used with other seafood families closely related to their group of origin. For example, you may have heard that people also call oysters scallops.
Scallops are present in all the world’s oceans, but you will never find them in freshwater.
They are very curious because they are among the few of the double-shell group “free-living.” “Free-living” means that they can swim short distances quickly and even migrate from place to place by traveling along the ocean floor.
The minority of scallops live attached to rocks when they become adults. Another group of Scallops attach themselves to rooted objects, such as seagrasses, because they have a slimy substance to do this.
But most of the scallops live attached to the sand, so when they realize that a predator is near, they escape by swimming very fast, moving their two shells with great force and speed. What allows them to be always alert is that they have a ring of many eyes that surrounds their entire body.
Scollop
Scollop is nothing more than the alternative of the word Scallop, which is influenced by the British pronunciation. This means that this word was born in the British colonies when they said Scallop, and when pronouncing it, they heard “Scollop.”
The word comes from the early 1400s, from the Old French “escalope.” It is also said to have its roots in German “eschalope” or Dutch “schelpe.” It spread in the 17th century to objects shaped like scallop shells, especially in design and clothing.
Uses of the word are also reported as early as 1737 in the kitchen sector.
Some Interesting Facts About Scallops
There are two main types of Scallops, those found in the Atlantic (which are 7 to 13 cms) and those found in the Mediterranean (which are 8 to 10 cms).
Scallops are formed by a medallion or center of the meat, which is the white part. This part is very hard, and its texture is a bit fibrous. The other important factor is the shell that surrounds it, which is orange in color. This shell has two parts: a white part male and a red part which is female.
It is essential to know that scallops are very delicious. Still, it is also an excellent source of protein and vitamins.
What Should I Know When Buying Scallops?
You should know that the Scallops season starts in October and ends in May, but the season where they are found in large quantities is in winter. The main presentations of Scallops that you can see are:
Fresh Scallops with shell. You can tell if the scallops are fresh by sight, touch, and smell. You should pick up the Scallop and feel that its cover is heavy and tightly closed. It should also smell of iodine.
Fresh Scallops without shells. The flesh of the Scallop should be pearly orange. Do not buy Scallops placed on ice because the meat loses its characteristics and flavor when this happens. It is best to put a piece of paper between the ice and the Scallop to keep it in good condition.
Frozen Scallops. The Scallops that are frozen release a lot of water. To not lose the softness of their flesh, you should thaw them and put them in a bowl with milk at room temperature.
How Should I Keep The Scallops?
When the Scallops are whole, they can last three days maximum wrapped in a clean cloth in the lowest part of the refrigerator. If you want to freeze them, you must dry them very well and put them to freeze on a tray.
When the cold makes them hard, you have to put them in airtight bags or tightly closed. In this way, they can last up to 3 months.
How Can I Cook Them?
There is an almost infinite number of ways to cook Scallops in exquisite dishes. Let’s learn some of the most popular and simple ones.
Scallops with tartar sauce. The first thing to do is to cut the Scallops into small squares. You can add finely chopped herbs or cilantro. Then season with lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Combine it with diced salmon or even apple.
Scallops in carpaccio form. Cut the Scallops in skinny slices of 2 or 3 mm. Then add oil and let them rest for 20 minutes. Before eating, add salt and pepper.
Sauteed Scallops. Put oil in the Scallops and fry them in a boiling frying pan for one minute on each side. You can fry them in butter.
Scallops on skewers. You should make a skewer with the Scallops; if you like, you can alternate skewer pieces with peppers and onions. When the brochette is assembled, you should put them on the grill.
Scallops au gratin. I make a bechamel sauce with white wine, add mushrooms, bread crumbs and then put the Scallops to gratin with cheese in the oven.
How People Use The Words Scallop Or Scollop?
As we have been able to understand, Scallop is a word that is used in a culinary context. Below we are going to understand some of the most common forms of usage.
As A Noun
- It is used to mention several of the free-swimming, double-shelled mollusks
- Used to describe a group of curves that have a shape similar to that of Scallops shells
- It is used as a synonym for a medallion of meat or steak
- It is a shape given to French fries. This use is typical of Australia
- It is also used to say that a dish is shaped like a Scallop shell
As A Verb
- To create or make a crescent-shaped rim
- To bake something to gratinate it. It can be a gratin in a Scallop shell
- To grow and harvest Scallops
Examples Of The Use Of The Words Scallop Or Scollop In Everyday Sentences
Let’s look at some practical examples of the use of these two words. Remember that these two words mean exactly the same thing, so the word used in the example sentence can be interchanged with the other without any change in meaning.
- Scollops fishing has become the most profitable industry in this region of the UK.
- Mary has become a famous artist thanks to her sculptures of Scallops shells
- The signature dish of this restaurant is Scallop in butter sauce
A Final Thought On Scallop And Scollop
Our first conclusion is to know that Scallop and Scollop mean the same thing, and you can use both words without changing the meaning of the sentence or idea we want to convey.
Finally, it is to know that we have added new knowledge and expanded our vocabulary, which will help us to get along and communicate better in everyday life.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.