LANGKAWI: The recent spell of heavy rain and strong winds here may have been a cause for alarm, but the natural phenomenon has also brought great culinary delight to the communities in Kuala Teriang and Kuala Muda.
Over the past few days, the area has been ‘sieged’ by sea
cucumbers (acaudina
molpadioides) which appear to have filled the shores and beaches, much to the liking of the locals, including staff at a nearby resort.
Ombak Villa Langkawi sales and marketing manager Mohd Hafiz Ramli said the hotel staff first found out about the ‘treasure trove’ of marine life with leathery skin and an elongated body during the beach cleaning process.
“Usually, sea cucumbers are found in the swampy areas, but this time it is a little different, because the gushing winds along with the strong waves have allowed us to find these creatures all the way here on these sandy beaches.
“In Langkawi, the months of August and September are looked forward to by the locals to collect sea cucumbers, which is used to make delicious ‘kerabu’ (salad),” he said when met here today.
Cleansed sea cucumbers are usually mixed with coconut ‘sambal’, chilli, galangal, ‘kerisik’ (grated, toasted and then grounded coconut) to serve as an exotic dish, which is a ‘must-try’ when visiting the tax-free island. – Bernama
