Page 291 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

RED ALGAE

Cat’s Tongue, Mastocarpus
papillatus (PHYLLOPHORACEAE)

Peter D. Tillman, CC-BY-SA-3.0

Peter D. Tillman, CC-BY-SA-3.0

CAT’S TONGUE, also known as Turkish Washcloth the holdfast and the stipe immediately broadens into

or Grapestone, is a common native to the west coast the frond.
of North America. It was recently discovered that it
EDIBLE PARTS: fronds
actually has two growth forms; a crust-like perennial
KEY MEDICINAL USES: anti-microbial properties
form, and a male and female frond form that regrows
each season. It grows on rocky substrates. HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Harvest the fronds in
TIDAL ZONE: between the mid to high tide line spring. It has a briny taste similar to oysters. Good for
sautés and light frying, but can also be eaten raw. If
FROND: The fronds are highly variable within the
using it for a stir-fry or pasta, be sure not to overcook
species depending on the sex; females are dark red to
cat’s tongue, otherwise it loses all of its texture and
brown, whereas males are light red to yellow-green.
turns gelatinous. This gelatinous texture is perfect
They are divided into multiple, flat lobes that are
for thickening soups and stews though.
broader toward the tips. The broad lobes are ribbed
along the margins. Female cat’s tongue develops a SAUTÉED CAT’S TONGUE: Ingredients: 1 bowl of
thicker, warty texture. In general, it doesn’t grow lon- fresh cat’s tongue, 1 cup of mushrooms, olive oil, ½ a
ger than 6 inches (15cm). The crust form is present squeezed lemon. Sautee the mushrooms in the olive
all year round and looks like a thick, dark tar stain on oil, then add the cat’s tongue and sauté lightly. Remove
the rocks. from heat and squeeze the lemon juice over the top.

HOLDFAST AND STIPE: The dark crust form acts as
290