Edible sea snail ranging in size from medium to large. The fleshy inside of this snail is used as a source of food in various places around the world, while the colorful iridescent outer shell provides a good source of mother-of-pearl and is used to make decorative ornaments and jewelry.
A mollusk sold in a many Asian markets. Smaller ones taste better.
Often quite tough, abalone is frequently sliced thinly and/or pounded to tenderize it before cooking.