Millions of people in England enjoy eating shrimp and prawns, often in the 70s style prawn cocktail. But overfishing and by-catch is causing huge issues worldwide. Shrimp ‘bottom trawling’ threatens both mangrove forests and seagrass beds, along with the huge issues of by-catch (nets catch other fish and marine creatures, which are either injured or killed). Sea turtles in particular can be harmed as they spend their lives mostly on the seabed (same as prawns and shrimp) looking for seagrass to eat as ‘ocean lawnmowers).
This recipe for vegan shrimp (Olives for Dinner) uses King Oyster mushrooms, sliced into scallop-style shapes. They are soaked in warm water before cooking, then served with ‘bang-bang sauce!
Avoid seaweed for thyroid/iodine issues. Read food safety for people & pets (many human foods are unsafe around animal friends).
Scallops are living bivalves, who ‘clap’ their shells together to escape predators. These vegan scallops (Loving it Vegan) also use King Oyster mushrooms, cooked in a lemon/garlic parsley sauce with vegan butter.
where to buy plant-based shrimp & prawns
Although it’s good to make your own, realistically most people will buy ready-made plant-based alternatives. We have no homegrown companies here, but there are a couple of good imports (recycle packaging at supermarket bag bins, if your kerbside does not collect).
The Plant-Based Seafood Company (US) offers shrimp and ‘mindblown’ scallops (made with konjac root and algae protein) along with vegan crab cakes. Endorsed by top chefs, this female-owned company is doing all it can to reverse the 50% destruction of coral reefs in the last 50 years. 38% of mangrove deforestation worldwide is caused by shrimp farming.
Happiee is sold in most stores these days. The range includes plain or breaded shrimpiee along with squidee rings and breaded calamariee! Ideal for stir-fries, curries, ramen, paella and pasta. Made with konjac (and tapioca starch), these have a lightly seasoned delicate taste and firm texture.
bags of vegan prawn crackers!
Native Snacks offers bags of ‘vegan prawn crackers’, made with natural ingredients. These taste like-for-like (or better) and are sold to food-service (ideal products for Chinese restaurants and take-aways to buy in).
