Red Crabs

Another mid-Atlantic Wonder

How to Eat Those Little Red Steamed Crabs
-and what the fuss is all about

If you are from or have not spent a lot of time in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA, you probably do not understand what the craze for little steamed red crabs is all about. The only exception may be if you live in an area where you can get blue crabs or rock crabs. They are both slightly larger, and the work involved with getting to the crab meat is comparable.

5 Stars

Many Crab Dishes

Crab and Lobster
Serving Set

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First, we’ll learn how to eat the crab, and then, we will discuss the fuss. So, just how does one exactly get to the crab meat? It really isn’t that difficult.

Here are the steps:

1. Choose a crab and remove its large front claws and all legs. Set the legs and claws aside.
2. Next, flip the crab upside down and lay it in front of you. You remove about half of the underside part of the shell next.
3. On the underside, there is a little almost pointed tab. Insert your knife underneath it and lift up. Completely remove this portion of the shell.
4. Now, flip the crab over. Removing the apron gives you access to the bottom center of the crab where there is a small opening. Insert your knife and apply a little pressure upward. This removes the whole top shell from the crab. Once you get good at it and you see how the shell comes off, you can use your hands to pry the crab apart.
5. After removing the top shell, you will see the crab’s lungs. They are white and sort of triangular shaped. Scrape away or pull away and discard the lungs.
6. Next, you will see a yellow mustard colored substance. You can either wipe it away or eat it. It’s up to you. Some people discard as much as they can and others love it.
7. Now, using your knife or your hands, break the crab in two vertically. Repeat the process and break each half horizontally. You now have 4 halves. Now, you have access to all the meat. If you start by and try to be a clean and neat, you are likely to give up and just dig in with your hands. I recommend having lemons and water for intermittent cleaning.
8. you move on to your next crab, remember you have the claws and legs to eat. Simply break them open like you would any other crab.

Why are these little red steamed crabs loved so much? Aside from the great taste, the whole experience is fun. It’s fun because it’s a very relaxed, social event and a dozen or whole bushel of crabs is a treat. While everyone involved is digging in trying to get to all the crab meat, everyone is forced to sit together for an extended period of time. Simply, it’s a feast with a lot of great conversation. Plus, everyone is eating with their hands and grabbing the next crab from the same plate or basket. That is a very social way of eating, and this simple difference brings people closer together.

photo is by mmmsedap found at https://flic.kr/p/8dqWR4 in flickr creative commons