Food Encyclopedia

jellyfish

An invertebrate marine animal with a soft, gelatinous, umbrellalike anatomy and long, thin tentacles. Jellyfish is popular in chinese cuisines. Asian markets sell it in a dried, salted form, which must be reconstituted by soaking overnight in warm water. The red matter must then be cut away. Jellyfish toughens if excessively cooked, so it's generally quickly blanched in boiling water for only about 15 seconds. It's customarily shredded and served cold in salads for a crunchy texture.