Soft-shell crabs are considered a delicacy and are popular in many seafood recipes. They are unique because they are caught just after they have molted their hard outer shell, making the entire crab edible. If you’re a seafood lover, you’ve got to try soft-shell crab at least once in your lifetime. However, cooking them can be quite tricky. In this article, we’ll teach you the best way to cook soft-shell crab for a delicious meal.
What Are Soft-Shell Crabs?
Soft-shell crabs are simply crabs that have shed their hard shells. The process is called molting, and it’s a part of their natural growth cycle. After molting, the crab’s body is soft, and its new shell is still forming. This is the perfect time to harvest the crab because the entire crab can be eaten, including the shell, legs, and claws.Soft-shell crabs are commonly found in coastal regions during late spring and early summer. They are most abundant in the Chesapeake Bay area of the eastern United States. They are available in different sizes, but the most common are medium to large.
Preparing Soft-Shell Crabs
Before cooking soft-shell crab, you need to prepare them. First, remove the gills, lungs, and apron, which is located on the underside of the crab. The apron is a small triangular flap that you need to cut off with a pair of scissors. Then, rinse the crab thoroughly under running water to remove any debris or sand.Once you’ve cleaned the crab, you can cook it in various ways, including frying, grilling, or sautéing. The cooking method you choose will depend on your preference, but we recommend frying because it produces a crispy exterior and moist interior.
Frying Soft-Shell Crabs
To fry soft-shell crab, you need to dredge them in a coating mixture and fry them until golden brown. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fry soft-shell crab:
