Soft-shell Crab
It's that time of year. Soft-shell crab season. Do you like them? Are you afraid of them? What's your favorite way to prepare them? Recipes welcome.
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12 Comments:
Soft-shell crabs = SUMMER!!!
lightly dredged in flour and old bay, salt, and a little white pepper, crisped up in pan of hot butter, on a toasted potato bun with a spicy mayo. Glass of sauvignon blanc. Or a can of PBR. My mind is blown to bits.
I will eat them any way you serve them though. Mark Bittman recently did them with pasta, and that sounded excellent. I had some the other day over some couscous, also excellent. And good Chinese restaurants have them, usually with a black bean or garlic sauce. Japanese joints tempura fry them. Ecstasy. Also rolled up in a sushi roll most often called a Spider Roll. OMG, I must have soft-shell crabs TONIGHT!!!!!!
simon at 6:49PM on 06/07/08
@simon: I had soft-shells on Mother's Day and they were fantastic. I haven't been out to a sushi joint for ages; I love Spider Rolls, too.
@anybody: Have you tried a fried soft-shell sandwich? In my search for soft-shell input, I found this post by Adam Kuban from last summer with a delectable photo of a sandwich he got "down the shore," in Cape May, New Jersey. I really want to try one.
He also mentioned Wildwood. Ah, the boardwalk. Those rides. Crazy times.
[smiling]
Susquehanna at 10:12AM on 06/08/08
mmm soft shelled crab sandwiches are my fav!
Like Simon said, lightly dredged in flour and old bay ( a MUST!!!) cooked in a pan of hot butter is the way to go. Although I prefer mine on white bread, with lettuce, sun ripened tomato and tartar sauce.
nomnomnom
hammondcheese at 5:43PM on 06/08/08
There is a chain of seafood restaurants in Texas (Pappadeaux) that serve soft shell crabs grilled, pan-sauteed or fried. I almost always order 1 grilled w/butter as dipping sauce and 1 fried crab with their dirty rice whenever I eat at Pappadeaux. I love the Japanase appetizer of fried soft shell crab with a ponzu dipping sauce -super yum! Another local Cajun restaurant serves them in po-boys as well as "beinvenille" (sp?) style with crawfish and shrimp in a cream sauce over the fried crab. Love love love soft-shell crab!
JenM Dallas at 11:37AM on 06/09/08
King Crab is HANDS DOWN my favourite food of all time.
I can't bring myself to eat softshell crab though!!?? Maybe it's because they resembe little insects and the shell is what is edible (and holds a lot of the flavour).
I feel like I'm missing out though--it sounds AMAZING!
Based on the comments; maybe I should suck it up and try it
--wish me luck!
hungrychristel at 12:16PM on 06/09/08
you should definitely try it.
simon at 2:17PM on 06/09/08
My girlfriend kept trying to get me to eat crab. I tried it, did not see the big deal. Then I got a deep fried soft shell crab. For those of you who haven't tried it, it's heaven. I could eat them every day.
noxturne at 1:37AM on 06/10/08
I've never had soft shell. I'd love to try it though because I love crab!! Dungeoness is my favorite so far!
smile at 2:32AM on 06/10/08
My BIL lives in Maryland and I am looking forward to his upcoming visit. He will bring me a dozen soft shells and a quart of shucked oysters. Good Eats headed my way!
Lightly dredged in seasoned flour and a pan of hot melted butter, a marriage made in heaven. ;-D
izatryt at 9:09AM on 06/10/08
I haven't tried softshells because I keep thinking there are "guts" in there. Are they removed before cooking? I love all other crab preparations and I'd like to add softshells to the list.
Josdean at 3:41PM on 06/10/08
Absolutely the "guts" are removed! Properly cleaned softshells are the one of the sweetest, cleanest seafoods you will eat. They are my absolute favorite.
BTW, @hungrychristel, I once told a visitor I was frying spiders, when asked what those things were in my cast-iron skillet. Never did get past that to have a decent friendship with him. Guess some people can't take a joke! ;-)
Editmom at 10:27AM on 06/11/08
Mmmmmm....here in Baltimore, Hons soft-shell crabs are considered a staple! Personally I like them on a sandwich. Fresh Wonder bread, the gushier the better. Mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato. Even if you don't like crab as a rule, give soft-shells a try!!
RichardCrystal at 12:12PM on 06/11/08