#VancouverTakeOut: DUNGENESS or RED ROCK? Which one to "invite" to dinner?

Red Rock Crabs and Dungeness Crab are both native to the westcoast of BC. They are both found on our shores, most anywhere you could find yourself. Each is a treat. 

In the photo above, we were lucky enough to be in a spot where we caught Red Rocks the same size as Dungeness! It was last summer and we couldn't believe our eyes. The claws on the Red Rock were the size of lobster claws we could buy in the city.

It was a rare find and one I would be surprised for us to catch again. So, given the two varieties and how rare a large Red Rock is, how to choose which crab to "invite" to dinner?

Here are the major differences:

Red Rock Crab:

• Sweeter meat than Dungeness (both are amazing)
• Small general size, yet bigger claws filled with meat
• Less coral (body) meat, makes it almost not worth the work to take apart the coral
• Harder shells, means a more difficult time getting the meat out
• Harder shells also mean it's more difficult to tell if the crab is a fresh molt or not
• Legal catch size at 115 mm for Red Rock is smaller than Dungeness at 165 mm
• Less plentiful than Dungeness, yet still very easy to catch
• So, sooooo pretty! They come out of the water a bright crimson red. Beautiful!

Dungeness Crab:

• Smaller claws and less claw meat than Red Rocks
• Easier shells to crack, means an easier time shelling meat
• Excellent yield of coral (body) meat, means a bigger plateful than Red Rocks provide
• Softer shells after a molt, means easier to identify crabs with more or less meat
• Larger catch size than Red Rocks
• Very plentiful, easy to catch
• Very pretty on your plate once cooked... such a lovely red and white feast!

Fresh Molt? How to identify the crab with the most meat? Read that post here.

How to cook your catch?
Each cooks up the same way. There is no difference between timing and technique for Red Rock or Dungeness. Interested in how I prepare and cook crab? Here's the post on my methods. Really, it just comes down to knowing the legal catch information for each, ensuring you only take males, never females. 

Promises to Poseidon:

1. The promise I always made Poseidon was if the old boy was already missing a claw, or in the process of regrowing his lost claw, I'd throw him back. I would imagine he would have lost some fierce battle. A battle that I'm sure he very bravely fought.  I urge you in your crabbing adventures, throw back this valiant crab and give him another chance, no matter what the variety.
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2. I also rarely keep just one crab. If I only have one "keeper", I will throw him back and try another day.  After all, no one should have to die alone.