How to Prepare Stone Crab Claws
Most stone crabs are right-handed, and their crusher claws are enormous, crushing up to 19,000 pounds per square inch. Adult stone crabs must avoid being snagged by octopi, grouper, sea turtles, and other prey. Stone crabs live for seven to eight years, and have numerous siblings. To be harvested, stone crabs must be removed before they become too large. In some cases, the claws are harvested for food.
The process of harvesting stone crabs is not easy. Fishermen must sail out early in the morning to capture a crab before it's too late. They then drop their traps down to the sea floor and pluck the crabs' claws. The process is labor intensive and often involves physical labor. The resulting meat is delicious and has an environmental impact. However, if you're a novice in the stone crab trade, it may be best to stay away from these claws until the demand for them is higher. Buy large stone crab claws from this supplier and you will not be disappointed.
If you're buying frozen or fresh stone crab claws, you may want to thaw them before boiling them. The meat of the stone crab is most succulent when cooked through steaming or boiling. However, you should avoid overcooking stone crab claws because they will lose their succulent, meaty texture. You can also season the reheating liquid to add additional flavors. Add a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning powder to the claws and reheat them for approximately 10 minutes, depending on the size of the crabs.
While the claws of stone crabs are relatively small, they grow into impressive-sized pincers over time. During Stone Crab Season, they're caught daily and shipped within 24 hours. These extra sweet medium Florida Stone Crab claws are larger than most mediums, making them ideal for preparing appetizers or for personal feasts. The small claws have a more subtle flavor, but still have a great bite.
To prepare stone crab claws for cooking, you'll need a large pan or skillet that's non-stick. Add butter, salt, garlic powder, and Old Bay seasoning. Once the butter is ready, place the crab claws on two plates and drizzle the remaining butter sauce over them. Serve the crab claws hot, with a generous amount of melted butter. This dish can also be made into a sandwich or salad.
Stone crabs are one of the most expensive seafoods available. A pound of stone crab claws costs up to $70 at a restaurant. Unfortunately, this is not an easy task, as the fishers are limited to harvesting just the claws, while returning the crab bodies to the ocean. The price of stone crab claws is so high, it's important to ensure their sustainability. But with the rising costs of fuel, bait, and track tags, it's not surprising that many stone crabs are now being discarded.
If you're looking for a source for stone crab claws, Key Largo Fisheries is a great option. They sell only the best claws and ship them to you for the lowest price in the market. If you're looking for a reputable stone crab delivery service in Florida, key largo Fisheries is your best bet. So if you're planning on buying stone crab claws online, don't forget to read the fine print. Check out this related post to get more enlightened on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_stone_crab.