Virginia Glasswort / Sea Beans (Samphire) (Salicornia depressa)

Family: Amaranthaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Jointed succulent halophyte carpeting coastal tidal salt marshes, turning from emerald green to flaming scarlet in autumn.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Crisp, juicy, incredibly crunchy with a clean, salty, ocean-breeze burst and slight asparagus vegetal sweetness. — Eaten raw as an instant salty-crunchy gourmet snack or seafood garnish; Flash sautéed in olive oil and garlic with lemon zest; Pickled in white wine vinegar and dill as crisp coastal pickles

Habitat & North American Range

Coastal salt marshes, tidal flats, estuaries, and inland alkaline salt pans. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)