PALOLO HARVESTING DATE FOR NOVEMBER
Palolo Rising for November on the 5th and 6th this month, Samoa Metoerology states.
The eagerly anticipated Palolo Harvesting Date for November is just around the corner in Samoa, with this year's dates set for Sunday, November 5th, and Monday, November 6th, according to the Samoa Meterology Office. What is Palolo, you ask? It's not an exotic fruit or a rare gem; it's a special type of polychaete worm known scientifically as Eunice viridis or Palola viridis, and it goes by various names in different countries, such as balolo, wawo, or nyale.
This annual phenomenon and cultural event is a time when locals flock to the reefs before dawn, armed with nets, buckets, and lanterns, either in canoes or on foot. Their mission? To capture the tails of the unique and incredibly tasty reef worms known as Palolo. Interestingly, while the tails are collected, the heads of these fascinating creatures remain hidden in the crevices of the coral reef, ready to regrow the tail for next breeding season.
What sets the Palolo apart is its distinctive reproductive behavior. During the same period (October and/or November), typically during the final quarter of the moon, the Palolo worm undergoes a peculiar split. The tail section rises to the surface, releasing eggs and sperm, while the front section stays below, ready to regrow a tail for the next breeding season.
But there's more to this story than just fascinating marine biology. If you're thinking of joining the Palolo harvesting frenzy, be prepared for a bit of humor as well. Some locals playfully quip that a bucket of Palolo can cost you almost as much as a car! Yes, you read that right - a bucket of these delectable worms have been knowned to be mocked of its prices. The Palolo's strong, salty seafood taste, often described as reminiscent of oysters, mussels, seaweed, and caviar, condensed into a stringy noodle-like form, is so sought after that it may make you question your budget.
So, mark your calendars for November 5th and 6th to experience the unique Palolo Harvesting season in Samoa - a cultural and culinary event that promises not only a tasty treat but also a good laugh about the cost of a bucket of these underwater delicacies.
