Mussels Matter|淡菜的五四三

by Clare Lear

Have you ever eaten mussels plucked straight from the ocean?

Mussels, both saltwater and freshwater, have been food for humans for thousands of years. These bivalve mollusks are in the same _(1)_ as snails. Piles of their shells have been found around early human _(2)_. Mussels are great sources of protein, and their pearly shells have been used by _(3)_ cultures to make jewelry, spoons, and other useful items. Found all over the world in cooler climates, mussels are relatively

_(4)_ to humans because they anchor themselves to rocks or other stable structures in tidal waters and grow there in clusters. Strong elastic threads that become hard on _(5)_ with water allow these mollusks to glue themselves to the rocky surface. When the tide goes out, it is easy to _(6)_ mussels from these rocks with sharp knives. There's even a species of freshwater mussels which _(7)_ pearls, but these have been harvested almost to extinction in the wild.

Mussels are _(8)_ cultivated for food in China, New Zealand, and Canada. The most common method is to _(9)_ mussels to ropes that have nets under and around them to protect them from natural predators. Mussels are sought-after food for starfish, sea snails, and seabirds. In freshwater lakes, mammals like otters and water rats also enjoy eating them.

In Europe, mussels are a popular seaside snack _(10)_ with French fries. They are also popular ingredients in seafood soups and stews. In Britain, mussels are often cooked with vinegar.

(A) contact (B) family  (C) gather  (D) primitive   (E) bear

(F) commercially    (G) attach  (H) settlements (I) served (J) accessible

淡菜的五四三

你有吃过从海中刚采收的淡菜吗？

淡菜有海水和淡水两种，已为人类千百年来的食物。这些双壳类软件动物与蜗牛属于同科动物。早期人类开垦地的周围发现了成堆淡菜的壳。淡菜是很棒的蛋白质来源，且牠们珍珠般的壳也被原始的早期文明制成饰品、汤匙和其他实用的物品。淡菜在世界上气候较冷的地方都可找到，人类也相当容易可取得淡菜，因为牠们会成群地把自己固定在潮水中的岩石或稳固的结构上生长。强壮又富有弹性的足丝线一旦与水接触就会变硬，让这些软件动物能把牠们自己黏附在岩石表面。当潮水退去时，就可以很容易地用尖刀从岩石上收集淡菜。甚至有一种生产珍珠的淡水类淡菜，但人们为了收成珍珠已让牠们在野外几乎绝种了。

淡菜在中国、纽西兰和加拿大是商业性养殖食物。最常用的方法是将淡菜附着在周围及下方有保护网的绳索上，以保护淡菜免于自然天敌。淡菜是海星、海蜗牛和海鸟抢手的食物。在淡水湖泊中，哺乳类动物像是水獭及河鼠也喜欢吃牠们。

在欧洲，淡菜是一种受欢迎的海边小吃，与炸薯条一起搭配上菜。他们也是在海鲜汤和炖菜中受欢迎的食材。在英国，淡菜通常是与醋一起烹煮。

答案：  1.  B   2.  H   3.  D   4.  J   5.  A

   6.  C   7.  E   8.  F   9.  G   10. I