If you have ever visited Key West then you will be familiar with the conch. The word is pretty much everywhere, found in a variety of contexts.Queen conchs (pronounced “konk”) are soft-bodied animals (mollusks) recognizable by their spiral shapes and glossy pink or orange interiors. This most majestic variety has been a protected species since 1992. Meanwhile, the meat of lesser varieties is consumed throughout the Caribbean, most notably in the form of deep fried fritters.A conch is also how many inhabitants of Key West are defined. “Saltwater Conchs” describe locals who were born in Key West while a “Freshwater Conch” refers to a resident not born in Key West but who has lived in Key West for seven or more years.Use the above source link to see the entire story!
