Whelks

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Types of Whelks

This page has information about whelks, sometimes referred to as "conchs". Several species of whelks are common along the USA Atlantic coast. They include the knobbed whelk, channeled whelk and lightning whelk.

Knobbed whelks are native to the North Atlantic coast of North America from New England to Florida.

Channeled whelks are also found from New England to Florida. They typically reach 5 to 8 inches in length. The shell is smooth and generally pear-shaped, with a large stepped body whorl.

Lightning whelks, found along the USA East Coast, are distinguished from most of the other whelks by their left-side (sinistral) opening.

Whelk Information

Whelks are used by humans as food in such dishes as salads (seviche), burgers, fritters, and chowders.

The following is a recipe for whelk seviche

1 lb diced conch (also known as smooth whelk or knobby whelk)
1/2 cup chopped purple onion
4 chopped jalapeno peppers
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
lime juice
course sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Tenderize the meat with a mallet then sprinkle with lime juice.

Mix in vegetables and cover. Marinate over night.

Add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

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Knobbed Whelks

The Knobbed whelk is native to the Atlantic coast of North America from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to northern Florida. The species is the state shell of New Jersey and Georgia. The knobbed whelk is the second largest species of whelk, reaching lengths up to 12 inches.

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Channeled whelks

channeled whelk

Channeled whelks have a smooth, pear-shaped shell with a large stepped body whorl.

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Lightning Whelks

Lightning whelks can be found along the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from New Jersey to Texas. Lightning whelks reach a lengths up to 16 inches. Distinguishing characteristics include their off-white to tan or gray shell with narrow, brown "lightning" streaks from the top of the shell to the bottom. The shell is white on the inside. They are distinguished from most of the other whelks by their left-side (sinistral) opening.

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