Enjoying Your Soft-Shelled Blue Crabs
May and September ranks the most productive months of fresh soft shell crabs. They have soft shells because during late spring and early fall these blue crabs are in their molting stage and is most productive during this months. And this is the reason why this is the best time to purchase soft shelled blue crabs since the supply is abundant.
For the unknowing, in the U.S., these blue crab species have gotten too big for their shells and therefore in order for them to keep growing, they shed their old shell away in exchange for a newer and bigger one. To free itself from its old shell, the crab has to swallow a lot of water so that their bodies will dilate and become big enough to break out of the shell. It only take a few minutes after breaking out of its old shell before its new shell starts to grow. Then after a few days the hardening of the new shell will begin. And in these few days before the shell starts to harden is the best time to catch these blue crabs. Soft shell crabs are still crabs and not another species since it only takes a while and they will look like a regular crab again. It is not only these blue crabs that experience molting but every type of crab for that matter. Learn more!
Soft shelled blue crabs will give you an easier time to eat the crab meat since you don't have to exert so much effort in prying meat out of the shell just like you do with the regular crab. Crab meat you can always buy any time of the year, but these soft shelled crabs are not always available and they taste differently since you can eat their soft shells which gives you dish a nice crunch. IT is important to pick the right kind of crabs from the right source so that you can eat this soft shelled blue crab which is truly a delicacy. This is the reason why it is recommended that you buy them from a good source to get the freshest crabs. If you weight the crabs, it shouldn't be too light but around 2.5 to 3 ounces are just right. 4 ounce jumbo crabs are a lot better. During the soft shelled blue crab season, it is good to treat yourself to as much of these crabs are you can eat. Learn more about crabs at http://www.ehow.com/how_8141819_cook-fresh-whole-crab.html.
The crabs may be prepared in an infinite number of ways. Deep fried with batter or shallow fried with flour, whatever your recipe for blue crabs are, they will surely satisfy your appetite. Other ways to prepare crabs are putting them in buns, grilling over hot coals to have that smoky aroma, or simply pan friend in olive oil.
If you want to be sure that your crabs are clean, you can do the cleaning when you are arrive at home. Another thing that you have to remember is to buy them when you intend to cook it on that same day. Click here to get some facts.
