First Crabs of a New Season

The Blue Crabs levels are the highest in 10 years and it couldn't come fast enough. I love the beginning of crab season. The crabs start from the Gulf and as the season progresses we get the mighty Maryland Blue crab, the sweetest and meatiest of all crabs.

Crabs are like surfing, no matter where and with whom you are eating crabs, the experience is always epic and legendary. You can be at a crab shack on the Bay, the Seed's patio or Bethesda Crab House, aka BCH. The crabs can be small or overwhelmingly huge and no matter what you become totally stoked. You spend time recalling past crab sessions. I miss the old 94th sessions, bushels and bushels coupled with Popeyes...oh yes it was that epic.

I love searching for that heavy crab thats has so much spice a Dune sand worm can be found. You place it in front of you as you suck your fingers clean of spice. I like to remove the claws and legs and i try hard to not remove any of the succulent meat. I lift the lid, crack the top shell and expose the treasure within. Sometimes I eat the mustard, sometimes I don't. If I have rice, I like to clump it with the mustard, some Old Bay and slightly dunk the whole thing in the vinegar. Savor that thought.

I strip the crabs clean by removing the lungs and then I quarter the crab. I start with the back quarter where the lump is because I love the indulgent meat. Then, I do the front quarter next and it is technical eating. I love technical crab eating, you dig out the meat, some people use devices like lobster picks but i prefer the old school finger, the most I use is my pinky for slim areas. When available I am alternating with small clumps of rice, a three finger squeeze is the right amount.

Tonight we celebrated Gigi's birthday. Crabs, crabs and more crabs, I had 9, Gio claims 13...Gigi was defintiely in double digits. BCH tries to slow down the crabbing with slaw and corn, which are both good and tasty, but you have to focus on the crabs. I love family crab sessions helping the next generation of crabbers is a duty for all to bear.

See you all at the next crab session!!