TURBO SHELL
Turban shells are a group of molluscs known as gastropods. The have a large spiral shell and a hard door they can close to protect themselves, called an operculum. The most well known gastropods are abalone. Whilst turbos are not abalone, they are similar in taste and live in the same environments.
TYPE 1. Green Turban Shell (Periwinkle)
SPECIES: Green Turban Shell (Turbo undulatus)
The Green turban shell are more commonly referred to as a periwinkle, but remains a true Turban Shell. They are grazing molluscs that live in the intertidal zone and are much smaller than other species. They grow up to approximately 70mm, however on average 10 to 30mm is more common. Perfect for soups and stir-fried dishes, they are tender and juicy and don’t require excessive cooking.
SUSTAINABILITY: Each turban shell is harvested by hand and is considered one of the most sustainable fisheries in Australia.
COLLECTION: Primarily between Cronulla and Kiama in the pristine waters adjacent to the Royal National Park, Sydney NSW.
AVAILABILITY: All year round. *subject to ocean conditions
TYPE 2. Military Turban Shell
SPECIES: Military Turban Shell (Turbo militaris)
A large colourful shell often sold in home wares stores as decorations. Some shells have prominent horns but others are completely smooth. The meat is easily removed raw. Simply cool in the fridge overnight, the operculum relaxes and using your finger or small spoon break the connective tissue holding the meat inside and the meat simply twists out. It has a similar texture and taste to Abalone, just a little smaller. Military Turban Shell graze on algae covered rocks and live from the intertidal zone to an approximate depth of 30m. They have a minimum legal size of 75mm and can grow as large as 500g.
SUSTAINABILITY: Each turban shell is harvested by hand and is considered one of the most sustainable fisheries in Australia.
COLLECTION: Primarily between Cronulla and Kiama in the pristine waters adjacent to the Royal National Park, Sydney NSW.
AVAILABILITY: All year round.
TYPE 3. Sydney Turban Shell
SPECIES: Sydney Turban Shell (Turbo torquatus)
The turban shell has been a traditional food for coastal aboriginal communities for tens of thousands of years and was once used to craft crude fishing hooks. The Sydney turban shell is easy to identify, it has a deeply spiralled operculum (door) where the Military Shell is completely smooth. The animal is a mollusc of the gastropod family and are very similar and tasting to Abalone. They graze on algae covered rocks and live from the intertidal zone to a depth of 30m. They have a minimum legal size of 75mm and grow up to around 500g.
SUSTAINABILITY: Each turban shell is harvested by hand and is considered one of the most sustainable fisheries in Australia.
COLLECTION: Primarily between Cronulla and Kiama in the pristine waters adjacent to the Royal National Park, Sydney NSW.
AVAILABILITY: All year round.
TYPE 4. Tent Shell
SPECIES: Tent Shell (Astralium tentoriiformis)
The tent shell, sometimes know as the Southern Trocus, is not of the Turban genus but rather the Astralium genus and is one of the many other species from the Turbo family. This species can be found from the intertidal zone - past depths of 40m+. They are small, cone shaped species on average 50 to 60mm high and 30mm wide. They have no minimum size limit.
Perfect for soups and stir-fried dishes, they are tender and juicy and don’t require excessive cooking. Typically, Tent shells are prepared by chopping off the point, cooked in soup and served in their shell.
SUSTAINABILITY: Each turban shell is harvested by hand and is considered one of the most sustainable fisheries in Australia.
COLLECTION: Primarily between Cronulla and Kiama in the pristine waters adjacent to the Royal National Park, Sydney NSW.
AVAILABILITY: All year round.