Pickled seaweed

Seaweed is a nutritional powerhouse and we are very fortunate that here in Australia the majority of our seaweed species are edible. Down on the south coast of NSW, Ecklonia radiata, more commonly known as common kelp or golden kelp, is washed up in abundance after a heavy storm. I collect it to add to the compost heap as a multivitamin for the garden. I also pickle a little to have on hand as a tasty condiment in the kitchen. Only collect from beaches away from large cities and waste water outfalls to ensure a clean source, and remember there are rules about what you can collect. Kelp can only be collected without a licence if it’s washed up on the beach as it’s not legal to cut from rocks, and in most states there are limits on how much you can collect – check your state regulations.