#VancouverTakeOut: How to Choose the Crab with the Most Meat?

When choosing a crab to keep, from the sea or the fish market, you should always identify if they are a fresh molt or not. Why? How does a crab climb out of it's shell anyway?  They do, and it's fascinating to me. It must feel so good, that last little squeeze before he pops out of the too tight shell. 

​This post is a must read AND a must watch!

A crab that is a fresh molt will have softer shells. If so, he will cost you just as much at the fish market, but provide you with far less to enjoy. This is because he has just discarded a shell and is firming up his new one. His muscles inside the shell are still growing, to fill his roomier shell.

Problem is though that from the outside, he looks like a regular keeper, just like the other guys. However, if you gently pinch his shell on his leg, at the top of it where it connects to his shell (his thigh), you will see if the shell gives a little or not. If it does, it is a fresh molted crab. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with him at all. He's every bit as yummy as his trap mates. But he will yield less body meat and leg meat than one who is not an juvenile.

Go for the keepers that have a good hard shell at the top of their legs. You'll thank me later.

Want to know how to dispatch your catch? Read the post.

How about how to cook your catch? That post is right here.