CRAB SEASON IS HERE!

Bodega Bay, CA


If you like to eat crab, there isn't a finer place to find fresh Dungeness Crab than Bodega Bay, CA.  North of San Fransisco, off of Highway 1, you follow the winding road to the town of Bodega and hang a left onto Eastshore which descends into the harbor area. Turn right when you reach t Bay Flat and continue around until you see the Spud Point Marina on your left on West Shore Rd.                                                                                         

We parked in the farthest public parking area so we could walk along the marina, looking at all the different boats and enjoying the beautiful vista.  It was a wonderfully mild December day and we didn't even need a jacket. 

                                                                Once we made our way down the dock, past the rows of bins filled with crab, we were greeted by a very amiable young man who took care of us.  He fished out the crabs with professional ease and then weighed them.  He bagged them in a black garbage sack and off we went. Easy peasey!


A fisherman recommended that we leave them dry for at least four hours before cooking them.  This, he said, softens the joints.  By the time we got them in the pot it was about four hours.  We heated the large pot of water outside on the barbeque side burner and added about a cup of Kosher Salt when it came to a boil.  Grasp the crabs very carefully (they are fighters) from the rear end of the shell-between the legs- and toss them into the boiling water (try not to think about their suffering) and when they return to boil, time them for 20 minutes, until the backs lift slightly.  Remove them and immediately plunge them into iced water.  This helps to remove the crabmeat more easily from the shell.       


See how lovely their color is.


Cleaning and Cracking your Crab: click


                               
This seasonal delight is like no other!  Sweet and succulent, you can dip the crab in melted butter, garlic and lemon juice and enjoy it with a loaf of local freshly baked sourdough and a green salad.





Comments

Anonymous said…
The crab looks great. I wish I was along for the ride. I haven't been able to enjoy crab like that since my mother passed away. Thanks for the visuals.
Jerry Shapiro
December 18, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Aluminati, said…
Jerry, it was scrumptious! We'll try to get some more for New Year's Eve. Best to you and yours-Karin
December 19, 2011 at 3:13 PM
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