Friday, October 11, 2013

How About A "Sea Tomato"...?

I've seen a lot of strange things come from the coastal waters, but nothing like this!

If I saw something like this, I would avoid it for sure! I wouldn't pick it up and I certainly wouldn't even consider eating it!

Blood From A Stone



Tunichates are just plain weird. Although extremely primitive and almost entirely immobile, these inorganic-looking entities are, in fact, animals. They are not conventional invertebrates, either. Belonging to a subphylum of the chordates, they are actually related to vertebrates. Pyura chilensis is one of the more shockingly bizarre tunichates, and seems to disprove the popular wisdom that you cannot get “blood from a stone.” The creature looks for all the world like an ancient, craggy rock, but inside is bright, red flesh. These South American “sea tomatoes” are a popular delicacy in Chile, a large part of their limited native range.

What about you? Would you eat one of these things? I reckon you are much braver than I am if you would!

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Showers are predicted this afternoon, but for now it's dry and humid!

10 comments:

Chickenmom said...

Think I'll take a pass on that one, Mr. Hermit! 55 here, cloudy and breezy with rain later. Good day for crumb buns!

West Tx at Heart said...

I will just say its amazing what a hungry person will eat. As for you Hermit, thank you, I just love waking to read your blog. And hey your right down the street, feels good to support the local folks!

linda m said...

No thank you - I would not want to eat anything that looked that gross. 42 degrees here again this morning, but it has been warming up into the 60's during the day. Coffee outside sounds good. Save my spot on the swing. Have a great weekend.

JO said...

I'll pass on that thing. Gross looking at least in the picture. My noisy side might want to poke at it with a stick or something.

55 here with a high of 78 for later. Pass the pot please.

Anonymous said...

Well, I think I would need to see if others ate it and survived before I even would consider eating it :-)

Have a great day!

Christer.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
I certainly don't blame you for passing on it.

Crumb buns sounds great!

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey West Texas...
Always glad to hear from a local friend! Where in Houston are you located?

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Linda...
It does look a little gross, doesn't it? Not for me!

Thanks for dropping by the patio this morning!



Hey Jo...
I know what you mean! Best to just leave it alone, I think!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming over today!



Hey Christer...
I think that might be a good idea. Never been that hungry, at least not yet!

Thanks for coming by today!

Mamahen said...

I think I would have to be more hungry than i've evet been to try that! Has the rain started yet, would love a crumb bun ans a decafe if you have one!

Sixbears said...

It does make one wonder who was first to try eating such a disturbing looking critter.

Dizzy-Dick said...

I bet those in Chile that eat those things would think we are strange for some of the concoctions we eat.

West Tx at Heart said...

SHEPHERD AND 610 :-D