Sunday, December 19, 2010

How To Prepare A Japanese Spider Crab

By Willie Chirafisi


When one thinks of crab, one often thinks of Alaskan King Crab legs, Dungeness or Snow crab. However, one type of crab which is often overlooked is that of the Japanese Spider Crab. A crab which is larger than most with long spindly legs and a bright orange coloring with white spots. In addition, the thorny eyes often throw people off course when considering such crab as a gourmet delicacy.

However, while in some areas, the Japanese Spider Crab is often revered, it is a gourmet cuisine in others. As such, it has been considered a delicacy for many years. However, when preparing crabs for cooking, if one is not going to cook such crabs live, then one needs to placed the crabs on ice before a process known as hibernation begins. After which, the best way to cook such crab is often by steaming in brine for 15 to 20 minutes depending upon the size.

However, if one is going to cook such Japanese Spider Crabs at home, there are a few things one may want to know. For example, while many cafes, diners and restaurants cook such crabs live, one can also preserve such crabs on ice for short periods of time. As such, if one is uncomfortable with cooking such creatures live, one can often have a local market put the crab on ice so that one can later cook the frozen crab at home.

Of course, like all crabs, the Japanese Spider Crab has a tough skin. However, unlike other crabs, this crab often has hairy skin up until adulthood. As such, one can tell how young or old such a crab is by the appearance of its outer skin. For, if the skin is hairy, it is often a younger crab. Whereas, when such skin is smooth, the crab is most likely an adult.

Of course, if one is going to eat such crabs, one may want to know more about the habitats in which such sea creatures are found. Most often, the habit for this species is found in the region of the Pacific Ocean around the Japanese archipelago which results in a very sweet and distinctive flavor among crabs. However, it is often believed that these crabs were dominant in a much larger area.

However, as such creatures were, and at times are, still are believed to be sea monsters rather than sea food, one may have to do some online research to find both markets which sell, and restaurants which serve such delicacies. In addition, while often considered a delicacy in some areas, in other regions such crabs are believed to be near extinction. As such, if one is traveling and looking for restaurants which serve such cuisine, one may want to do some advance research into such locations.

Therefore, if one is looking to try something new, one may want to consider trying Japanese Spider Crab. For, while the size may appear daunting at first, the flavor may very well be worth the effort. Although, if one wants to taste the most exotic of such crab, one may want to visit one of the many regions of the world which serve such crab as a delicacy. For, when it comes to the Japanese Spider Crab, it is often considered a delicacy among crabs.




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