Microcosmus sabatieri, commonly called the grooved sea squirt, sea fig, or violet, is a species of tunicates (sea squirts). The species has a rocky-shape appearance. It is mainly found in the Mediterranean Sea. It is used as food in parts of Europe.
Three species of Microcosmus are edible presently, M. sabatieri, M. vulgaris, and M. polymorphus (Vafidis 2008). In the Mediterranean Basin, it is eaten raw, often with an acidic condiment such as lemon juice or mignonette. It has a strong iodine taste which not all appreciate.
The specific epithet sabatieri is in honor of zoologist Armand Sabatier. The name 'violet' is from the distinguishing violet stripes on the siphon.
The species has many common names. In Dutch it is (lit. violet pocket-pipe) or (overgrown pocket-pipe). In French it's , (lit. sea fig), and in Marseille, (lit. sea potato), or . In Northern Catalonia it's called or (jewel) and in the Principality bunyol or ou de mar (sea fritter or sea egg). In German the common term is (lit. sea fig) or (edible sea sheath). It is (, lit. bubble or puff) in Greek. In Italian, (sea lemon) or (sea egg) are used. Names in Spanish include (profit), (sea potatoes), and (sea fritter). In Ligurian it can be called (sea turds). In Morocco, in both Moroccan Darija and Berber, it's called () or (, ).
Other names it is sold under include:
Note that plants of the genus Carpobrotus are also known as 'sea figs'.