Food as a kid in Glasgow

[Dennis]

Hi,

I recall we'd eat what looked like a snail by using a pin to pull the meat part out (yep sounds gross) I can't remember what they were called but they were quite salty. Does this ring a bell with anybody? I think they were called something like 'wulks'

[Tracey]

Was it a whelk ? Very popular still in England outside pubs at the seafood stalls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whelk

[Fiona C]

Hi Dennis

They were whelks. My Granny used to bring a bag of whelks back from her annual holiday in Carnoustie each year and I can remember eating my way through them with pin in hand! Happy days!

Fiona

[jennyblain]

Or winkles - which are rather smaller than whelks and need the pin. It was winkles that I remember.

Jenny

[joette]

Whelks is what we called them although I much preffered the "clappy dous"(Mussells). & yes I did imagine the shells clapping that my dad used to collect off the rocks at Adrossan.
I loved them with vinegar although it was only daddy & I that ate them-to do this day none of my siblings or Mother will put one in their mouths.I much prefer them now with a garlicy sauce & taglietelle but if I catch that vinegary tang it transports me back to those happy days.
My Aunt who was Malaysian used to love sitting on the beach eating the whelks.Much less exciting than swimming in the sea in Penang being pursued by a tiger but a whole lot safer.

[Hibee]

I only remember winkles in 1950s Edinburgh. Never saw a whelk until living in London around 1978.

After being v sick that night, hope never to see another.

Hibee

[StewL]

I recall my dad an uncle eating them at the seaside, but I was never allowed to have a taste of them, I make up for it now by sitting down and eating a big bowl of chilli mussels with some nice bread rolls to sook up the juice.

[Currie]

Here are some gratuitous Whelks, Winkles and Mussels, not to mention Cockles, Shrimps, and other tasty treats. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQf9tUjNPwA

Alan

[Tracey]

I think the main reason this kind of seafood is sold outside English pubs is because you would have to be drunk to eat it

[Russell]

Now Tracey if that was the case then why are there no sales booths outside Scottish pubs

Russell