June 16th, 2015
DE Beaches Eat!! Soft Shell Crabs, Callinectes Sapidus, Seafood Markets, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware…Love Soft Shells!
June 16th was National Lobster Day!! I could not find a celebration for Sof Shell Crabs….only that the next National Crab Meat Day is going to be March 9, 2016!!
“Softshells” are my absolute favorites. On the menu? You bet I will order them.
With the first full moon in May…the Blue Crab molting season begins. Shedding might take 2 to 3 hours. The conditions have to be right, like the phases of the moon, water temperature, and other factors only known to Mother Nature.
The crabs will beging their molting process, growing larger and then shedding their hard outer shells. The new crab will be 30% larger (point to point) than the old shell.
If you leave them in the water, the new crab will begin to harden. Pulled from the water, the shell remains soft…..a seasonal delicacy and one of the best tasting crabs ever. When you bite into them, they are juicy and sweet with a very delicate flavor
The best part is that unlike the hard shell crabs, when you have to pick and pick….hammer, drink beer, and keep on picking…which I love, by the way, the soft shell crab can be eaten whole once cleaned of gills.
Easy to cook too. Everyone has a preference. Dusted in flour, fried, maybe tempura style, or my favorite way, sauteed.
Summer heat is really here. Perfect lunch or dinner? Soft-shell crab on salad.
The following seafood markets in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach usually have soft shell crabs. They will clean them for you and even give you ideas on how to cook them if you are not sure. They will steam hard crabs to order….plenty of local fresh fish available, as well.
Lewes Fish House Seafood Market is located at 1796 Coastal Highway in Lewes. Tel. 302-644-0708 Website? http://www.lewesfishhouse.com
Copp’s Seafood is located at Mulberry Knoll Rd. in Lewes. Tel. 302-645-9112
Geyer’s Seafood Market, 18226 Coastal Highway in Lewes. Tel. 302-644-9329. The location is where Jimmy Lynn’s used to be.
Rehoboth Seafood Market is located at 20238 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-3551 Website? http://www.rehobothseafoodmarket.com
Big Fish Grill Seafood Market is located at 20298 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-3665 Website? http://www.bigfishgrillmarket.com
Have a good one!! TTYL
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