Why seaweed foraging walks?
The aim of the walks is to help you identify, forage and use some of the many seaweeds that grow along our pristine coastline. Seaweed is one of the most nutritious and healthy vegetables on earth, it helps fight against cancer cells and it also aids with digestion. It is a super food that luckily for us grows prolifically in the crystal clear waters beside us here. The foraging walks also aim to educate on the various facets of marine biology and to enjoy nature!
The Walks
The walks are generally held at various locations from Garnish Strand to places like Tousist Strand to help you learn how to identify, forage and use some of the many seaweeds that grow along in abundance on the Atlantic coastline.
The walks are leisurely along rocky shorelines with lots of stopping breaks generally in low tide.
Items to bring on the walks with you:
- Suitable clothing – waterproof footwear (wellies) , hat, rain/wind protection and/or sun protection.
- A camera to take pictures of the seaweed we are foraging.
- A pen and notebook for observations and notes.
- A pair of sharp scissors and a basket or a bag if you are going to take your foraging home.
If foraging for yourself, please be aware of the tides! A good low tide is a good starting point. A red tide can lead to illness so please be careful. Red tides are not necessarily red and are actually harmful algal blooms or HABs. Before you go foraging check out http://marine.ie/habs where you can check the biotoxin report to see if there is a red tide in your area.
Seaweed gallery
Picture for illustration purposes only, this is not actually Sea Spaghetti Salad.
More recipes
The Seaweed Cistin has many more nutrious and delicious recipes available on our website, please leave a review if you wish but most of all enjoy!
Please be sure to contact us if you have any ideas or need advice.
Sample recipes
Sea Spaghetti Salad
An Asian style seaweed salad with fresh mint.
- 12 leaves fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice/cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey (or sweeten to taste)
- 25 g dried sea spaghetti (re-hydrated and cooked )
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
- Mix first 6 ingredients together in a bowl to make dressing.
- Roughly chop sea spaghetti and add to dressing.
- Marinade for at least an hour in refrigerator.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve.
- You could just soak sea spaghetti in water to re-hydrate and use raw. It of course depends on your taste buds and texture you desire.
We host many walks for education purposes but we also hold information sessions on the many benefits of seaweed either for health, nutrition or its use as a fertiliser, please contact the Seaweed Cistin for more details on upcoming classes or walks.
You can also check out the Seaweed Cistin facebook page for updates on talks and walks or healthy cooking demonstrations or check out our Events calendar below.