Stone Crabs
Raw Claws are brownish
Cooked claws turn orange
Season – October 15 until May 15. | More Stone Crab and Spiny Lobster
Life Span – Males crabs live to about 7 years and female crabs live to about 8 years.
Sustainability – They are a renewable commercial fishing resource. Population levels are estimated to be high and no overfishing is occurring. It is nearly impossible to wipe out the stone crab population due to the fact that the crabs are not harmed and are able to regenerate their claws.
How they Are Fished – All of the stone crab claws on the market come from wild fisheries; there is no aquaculture for stone crab claws. Crabs are caught in traps, Only one claw per animal is harvested – so they can continue to eat and defend themselves – then returned to the water alive to generate new claws, regenerating 4 to 5 claws in its natural lifetime.
Cool Fact – Each time the crab molts, a new claw grows larger. A “large” crab claw can weigh up to half a pound and “colossal” claws have reached a pound or more. In order to be fished, claws must be at least 2 3/4” in length and they cannot be taken from egg-bearing females.
Healthy – A good, low-fat source of protein, vitamin 6, selenium and magnesium. A 4 ounce raw portion is equal to 60 calories with zero grams total fat.
Sizes – Contrary to popular belief, stone crab claws are graded based on weight, not size.
- Medium claws weigh up to 3 ounces (5 to 8 pieces per pound)
- Large claws weigh between 3 and 5 ounces (3 to 5 pieces per pound)
- Jumbo claws weigh 5 ounces and up (3 claws per pound)
How To Tell Freshness – Once cracked, if the meat comes off the shell easily it’s fresh. If it sticks, they’ve been frozen. Stone crab claws have a 5 to 7 day shelf life.
Serve – Once harvested, the raw claws are cooked on the boat or more commonly at dockside. In a restaurant, hot crab claws may mean that they are re-heated. But you can opt for either hot or cold. Eat with a simple squeeze of lemon on the meat, or dip in drawn butter, or in a mustard sauce.
How To Crack The Claws – Place crabs in a towel or put a plastic bag over the claw (this will keep from splattering crab juice all over you and everywhere else). Using the back of a large spoon, hammer or mallet, strike the back or rounded side of the two knuckles and finally the claw with a quick snapping motion. The shell should be cracked gently, so the meat stays intact and is not pierced by the shell. Next, peel the shells from the claw and then separate the two knuckles from the main pincher. That’s where the tasty goodness is found. One note of caution, there is a hard center membrane inside the meat, so when biting into the meat be careful.
Categories: Stone Crabs, Types of Seafood Tags: crabs, florida, Gulf, seafood, stone crabs
John’s Pass Seafood Festival, October 28-30
John’s Pass Seafood Festival, October 28-30, is dedicated to Fishermen Lost at Sea. The event opens with a free concert & fireworks. Admission to the event is free.
Oysters 101 | Shrimp 101 | Gulf Coast Delicious Dining
For 30 years, John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk has offered festivities for the whole family at the annual Seafood Festival. This year’s event will take place on Friday, October 28 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, October 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to the event is free.
The many features of the event include a Fine Art & Craft Show with 60 local and regional artists, tons of fresh local seafood, a Blessing of the fleet, an Environmental Area, more than 150 unique shops, live music throughout the village, a street dance, fiddler crab races and a children’s area. A children’s Halloween costume contest will take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Windworks and trick or treating will take place throughout the hours of the event. All children’s costume contest participants will receive a prize.
Parking for the festival is available both in John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk and off-site. Parking within John’s Pass Village is accessible from the 129th and 131st Avenue entrances to the Village. Free additional parking is available at Madeira Beach Middle School with free shuttle service to and from John’s Pass Village.
The Seafood Festival is organized by the John’s Pass Village Association. Sponsors include City of Madeira Beach, John’s Pass Village Association, St. Petersburg Times, Bright House Networks, Cox Media, Travel Resort Services, Windworks, Vino Florida, and Budweiser.
Categories: Florida Seafood Festivals, Seafood Festivals Tags: festival, FL, florida, John’s Pass Seafood Festival, MADEIRA BEACH, October 28-30, seafood, seafood festival
