“Squeeze Me”

April showers bring May flowers, and soft-shell crabs. They were always a hit at my father’s restaurant, and I used to press on the top of their shells with my finger until bubbles frothed out of their mouths. The crabs would be deep fried and served with either garlic-pepper sauce or served salt-baked style. The first time I had soft-shell crab, I broke out in hives. It was also the last time I had soft-shell crab.

I just discovered today that soft-shell crab isn’t a different species of blue crab, in fact, it is blue crab. Just like snakes, crabs molt their shell when they outgrow it. For several days, while they’re waiting for the new shell to form, their exterior is soft and unprotected. It is during this phase when the crabs are harvested. I love fun facts.

~ Kin