noun
trough shell adductor muscle; columella
In food contexts, refers to the edible adductor muscle of the trough shell (Mactra chinensis), often called 'columella' in culinary English. The term is also used in biology for the central column of a gastropod shell.
See also: 馬鹿貝
馬鹿貝の小柱は刺身や寿司ネタとして美味しい。
The adductor muscle of the trough shell is delicious as sashimi or sushi topping.
この貝の小
I removed the adductor muscle of this shellfish and sautéed it in butter.