#crab-hunting

#crab-hunting

Maine is known for its fresh seafood, specifically lobster, and has many other foods native to its culinary culture that are unbreakably tied to the state.

"There are not very many conservation issues that I'm aware of where industry and conservationists and consumers and the fishermen and the resource users all want the same thing. Every stakeholder wants less bycatch."

The bodies of the crabs displayed male reproductive structures, while other parts showcased female features, including gonopores, said K.S. Anoop Das.

In a recent study published in the zoology journal Crustaceana, scientists working in Silent Valley National Park reported a new variety of the crab that exhibits both male and female traits. Our new crab friends, of the species Vela carli, are freshwater dwellers that hang out in the streams of the Western Ghats in India.

East Coast oysters are known and loved over the world for the clean minerality and distinctive salinity, which is reflective of the cold Atlantic waters where they come from. Although Maine and Maryland get a lot of credit, oysters are present along the continent's entire eastern coast, as far north as Canada's Prince Edward Island all the way down to South Florida.

Nearly 40 miles of untamed coastline are protected in Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California. This means that besides viewing the massive, jaw-dropping trees, visitors can also meander the Pacific Ocean's edge, marvel at cliffs and perhaps even spot a gray whale. Of course, the sea's bounty also provides a delicious meal at the end of a drive or a hike.

The haul of lobsters, Maine's best known export and a key piece of the state's identity and culture, has declined every year since 2021, and some scientists have cited as a reason warming oceans that spur migration to Canadian waters.

Generally, East Coast oysters are brinier than West Coast oysters. Eastern oysters, raised either in the Atlantic Ocean or in its estuaries, live in a much saltier environment. West Coast oysters are mostly raised in protected bays, estuaries, and tidal rivers, where there is much less salt.

When it comes to the list of the most popular seafood in the U.S., shrimp is far and away the most consumed. While we tend to think of seafood as coming from saltwater oceans, this list also includes freshwater fish, clams and shrimp. It's true that most of shrimp we eat comes from saltwater habitats, but freshwater shrimp has its place at the table. Setting aside the distinction between shrimp and prawns, there are some key differences between freshwater and saltwater shrimp that you should know.

But when you pull off that tail section, you will reveal inside the cavity something that stands out against all of the pink and white flesh - a strange green paste. For many bib-clad lobster eaters, this green stuff ends up in the bin along with the scraps of cracked and empty shells, but they don't know what they are missing. That green paste is called tomalley, and despite its potentially off-putting appearance, it's a part of the lobster experience begging to be savored.

"Beer steaming is literally replacing water with beer," Becker told Tasting Table.

"Never fry super-delicate fish, as they fall apart," recommends Chef Becker. This means you should steer clear of frying fish like tilapia, branzino, sole, and flounder. When flipping them over, these fragile fish can easily break apart and overcook faster than you think. You'll either end up with breading that isn't crisp enough or an overly dry interior. Either way, it won't be an enjoyable meal.

Consumers must be aware that seafood fraud, in which vendors label cheaper fish as products of higher quality and price, is common practice. According to Oceana, fish is mislabeled 25 to 70% of the time, especially when it comes to prized fish like wild salmon and Atlantic cod. Those of us who care about the environment are also concerned with traceability,

In New England, the official dipping buddy for creamy clam chowder is called a common cracker, and it's different than any other cracker in almost every possible way. For starters, it's larger (about the size of a Ritz cracker), rougher, and looks unmistakably old-school. The common cracker's flavor is also deliberately restrained. Wheaty, crunchy, and very hearty - these unleavened crackers swell slightly in creamy New England clam chowder. This makes them take on a dumpling-like quality, and it's not accidental.

Many thanks to the Crenn team for such a playful celebration of high-low: mac and cheese with black truffles, cheffy hot dogs served in the kitchen, and a spin on Frito pie, but with salt and vinegar chips, egg yolk jam, smoked crème fraîche, and caviar. Pastry chef Juan Contreras set up a chocolate fountain in his pastry room in true Willy Wonka fashion, and chef Crenn was in truly exuberant form.

Welcome to Bon Appétit Bake Club, a community of curious bakers. Each month senior test kitchen editors Jesse Szewczyk and Shilpa Uskokovic share a must-make recipe and dive deep on why it works. Come bake and learn with us-ask questions, share pics, listen to our podcast, and lots more here. And don't forget to join the Bake Club Group chat over on Substack.

Stuffed clams are that perfect mixture of homey flavors - like garlic, butter, and breadcrumbs - and elevated seafood. But making the perfect stuffed clams isn't as easy as stuffing whatever clams you have. There are more than 10 different types of clams, and you must choose the clam with the right type of shell for your stuffing needs. Luckily, Tasting Table caught up with Franklin Becker, the chef/owner of Manhattan seafood restaurant Point Seven, who shelled out some pretty top-notch advice.