Winkles are a small snail like shellfish, which feeds on seaweed on British coasts. Although very abundant they are small and very time consuming to remove from the shell for very little meat, which is not strongly flavoured. On removal from rock or weed place in clean water for about 12 hours to allow grit, sand and salt to be removed, then place them in boiling water for about 10 minutes. The meat can then be removed from the shell using a pin; the whole creature inside is edible except for a small plate like structure at the front of the shell opening. Normal rules for Shellfish apply, that is do not pick from polluted areas, do not over pick and do not eat dead specimens.

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