To keep the stone crab and lobster fishery sustainable, each of these crustaceans can only be caught during their respective seasons. The buoys are attached to a trap on the ocean floor made of wood slats holding bait that lobster and crab find irresistible. Customized Virtual Tours starting at $10.75, Key West’s waters are teeming with fascinating. Crab legs contain very few calories and very little fat and are high on nutrition. © 2020, FreshStoneCrabs. Stone crabs can lose their limbs, or molt, easily when it comes to evading predators, which include sea turtles, grouper and horse conch. The thawed claws can be microwaved, baked or steamed. The other claw will be left untouched and the crabs will be released into the ocean. Choose your accompanying dishes based on whether the claws are part of a meal or function more as an appetizer. site you can choose from these sizes- Medium, Large, Jumbo, Colossal. Cynthia Au has studied at the Cordon Bleu in Paris and currently works as a chef instructor specializing in food styling. These mark lobster and crab traps, often called “pots,” used by commercial fishermen. However, if you have a crab lover at the dinner table, they might easily be able to put away at least 2 lbs-3 lbs. When you order medium stone crabs, you can get 7-8 per pound. Stone crabs crawl along the floor of the ocean, mainly sticking to shallow areas, as they forage for food along the bumpy sea floor. Vegetable dishes served alongside chilled crab claws makes for a light meal. When the fishermen pull the traps out of the water, they take out the crabs & break off the larger claw of each stone crab. 1040 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 1408 Stone crab season runs from mid-October to mid-May, while Florida lobster season is August through March. We are one of the nation’s largest producers of Fresh from Florida Stone Crab Claws . These tend to be priced a little lower not because the quality is inferior in any way. These crustaceans hide within coral caves or dock pilings with their antennae or claws protruding for a hint at what’s beneath. We are the “Factory Outlet” of stone … Mayonnaise-based sauces are similar to mustard sauce, but instead use fresh herbs or other seasonings to flavor the sauce. A Stone crab has a crushing force of 19,000 pounds per square inch, which is perhaps why they consume mollusks. While there is a standard way to estimate how many stone crabs one person might eat on average, let’s learn a little more about what these crabs are, how they can be cooked and how you might want to serve them. Our stone crabs are 100% fresh and 50% less expensive than any other companies in this space. No sales at this address Stone crabs feed on oysters, worms, mollusks and other crustaceans, while the spiny lobster seeks out snails, clams, crabs and sea urchins.
For warm crab claws, keep your vegetable dish warm or at room temperature. Stone crabs are brownish red with gray spots and tan underneath, and have large and unequally-sized … Instead of claws, Florida’s spiny lobsters are equipped with antennae, which is also where they get their name. They’re exciting to see in the wild, especially for fishermen since they’re amongst the water’s most prized catch. She has worked as a writer and editor with a focus on food and food science since 2007 and regularly teaches both adults and young children about the joys of home cooking. If you head offshore during your visit to Key West, whether it’s for a sunset cruise, a. or a jet ski tour, you may notice small, Styrofoam buoys dotting the Gulf. The spiny lobster habitat is more global than the stone crab. The temperature of the claws determines which sauce is most suitable. Image credit. Fiddler Crab Facts. When you dine on spiny lobster in Key West restaurants, it’s their tender tail meat that you’re feasting on. If you head offshore during your visit to Key West, whether it’s for a sunset cruise, a snorkel adventure or a jet ski tour, you may notice small, Styrofoam buoys dotting the Gulf. Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. In this natural process, the crab actually climbs out of its shell and regrows. While they’re most commonly known as Florida stone crabs, these crustaceans are actually found all along the western North Atlantic Ocean from as far north as Connecticut to as far south as Belize. Depending on the total number of guests or family members you can buy some medium, large, jumbo and colossal stone crabs.
Consider serving alongside nacho chips and pico de gallo, as well as lime wedges to dress the crab.
Because butter congeals at cooler temperatures, serve butter-based sauces with warm crab claws only.
We ship thousands of stone crab claws to many of your better known retailers and restaurants. If the texture of a mayonnaise-based sauce is too thick, thin it out with 1 to 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice, water or even brandy per 1/4 cup of mayonnaise. While the crab meat can be eaten plain, the claws are most often served with a selection of dipping sauces. Depending on where you are, people have different names for spiny lobsters. Sprinkle chopped stone crab meat into a delicious tossed green salad, Add it to your special stew or soup recipe, Combine chopped stone crab meat with chopped onions, fresh herbs and low-fat mayonnaise. Stone crab season takes place from October 15 until May 15 each year. They’re especially abundant in the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas and even in the salt marshes of Georgia and South Carolina.
The stone crab's carapace (shell) is 3 to 3.5 inches (7.6 to 8.9 cm) long and about 4 inches (10 cm) wide. KLF offers a wide variety of products including fresh lobster, stone … Per pound, the crab is the most expensive seafood consumed in the United States. The meat from stone crab legs can be incorporated into a more complex recipe or eaten plain. Brush up on these fun facts about Florida stone crabs and spiny lobsters, then try to find them in the wild. Stone crab claws are known for their large, juicy, sweet pieces of crab meat. For example, a green papaya salad is spicy and sour, and the Asian flair lends itself well to a Sriracha mayonnaise dip. What’s more, your guests won’t have that much of a challenge peeling them. See what we are doing to ensure a safe guest experience. Keeping the second claw intact gives the creature the means to feed and defend itself. Typically, these outstanding crabs aren’t very large in size, but their delicate and sweet meat has a unique flavor, making it perfect as an appetizer or a main dish.
Serve chilled stone crab claws with other cold, seafood-centric appetizers, such as shrimp cocktail or ceviche. They’re typically found hiding in coral rock, so they’re often called rock lobsters. When you buy any of these crabs from us, you will get full claws with succulent and delicious meat. In fact, each time a stone crab molts, the new limb grows back stronger and larger.
Your guests will surely be clamoring for larger portions, so it’s best not to get caught short. After all, you want to have enough at the table but don’t want to have excessive leftovers either.