Posted by Viewfinder (Bradenton, United States) on 7 August 2007 in Food & Cuisine and Portfolio.
Ok, we interrupt the previously scheduled Panhandle Days series today to introduce you to a feast of Cajun fried soft-shell crabs. These are blue crabs prepared at their best. Had these last Friday night at a wonderful cafe on the bayou, in Pinellas Park, FL (metro Tampa). Side dish of French bread, "dirty rice" and remoulade sauce for the crabs. Plus bread pudding with whiskey sauce for dessert. Louisiana cuisine in Florida, at its finest.
For those who do not know, when blue crabs grow, they molt their old shell; beneath the molt is a new, soft shell that will quickly harden into their new size. Before the hardening happens, it is time to harvest that crab, clean out the gills and mouth/eye parts, pop it into batter, and fry away. Then you eat the whole thing, soft shell and all.
Please pray for Bella.
Bella Update: 10/14/08, Tuesday. Bella will see her doggie cardiologist today. We are hoping and praying he will find some healing/improvement in her heart/aortic valve condition. God is the one who heals and blesses.
Bella's miracle, the one we're all praying for, is still a day by day process; it may take a bit of time for completion. Bella's battle for life, wellness, and needed healing for her heart isn't a sprint but a long-distance run. Bella and I thank you for joining her prayer "team" around the world. Each of you are truly special blessings to us.
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yummy!
7 Aug 2007 1:33am
@Rags: Yes, they were. Thanks.
wow...good
7 Aug 2007 3:11am
@kmf: To the last crumb... :-D
Oh la la, I suddenly have this WILD craving....HUNGER!! LOL Wow, more shots like this please :)
7 Aug 2007 5:08am
@Lorraine: After this kind of eating, I need a diet. But thanks for the reaction... ;-D
yum, the pic and the way you describe it make this mouthwateringly delicious! :)
7 Aug 2007 6:43am
@Rebecca: Thanks. The actual was amazingly good going down.
Now, you gone and made me hungry. I find taking pictures of food hard...it never looks as yummy in the photo as it does on the plate in front of you, but you got the color right on...it's looks mouthwatering. :o)
7 Aug 2007 7:19am
@Candace: Thanks. Too bad I couldn't post the taste -- it was out of this world good.
Looks delicious but, I'm allergic to shell food :(
7 Aug 2007 8:40am
@Stunner: How sad for you. More for us to eat, though. Maybe some chicken next time?
This must be what they call the "blue plate" special [groan]. But the texture on the surface of the crab is spot on!
7 Aug 2007 9:13am
@Ken McCoy: I love it! Thanks for the humor and the encouragement. The crabs tasted even better than they look.
You are making me hungry!!! Love soft shells!!! Do you ship overnight? LOL!!!
7 Aug 2007 9:34am
@Jen: You'll have to go to Pappadeaux's at Windy Hill exit, I-75.
mmh lets go eat
7 Aug 2007 10:22am
@stijn: Wish I could share; nothing left but the image here.
Love cajun food, yummy!
7 Aug 2007 11:40am
@Dawn Sutherland: Mais yeah, cher. It is goooood cookin' and better eating, I ga-ron-teeee.
Cajun Crabs, yummy. Nice shot.
7 Aug 2007 12:19pm
@Amir: Thanks for the compliment. As for the food, Pappadeaux's is an East Texas effort at Cajun food; I don't know if you live near one, but if you do, go there. It's an outstanding knock-off of Louisiana cuisine.
Unfortunately can't eat it because of the tooth problem
7 Aug 2007 12:20pm
@Amir: LOL. So sorry. They were delicious.
Fried soft crabs .... looks delicious ..... great picture !
7 Aug 2007 1:30pm
@RoBeRt: "Delicious" is the word, all right. And thank you for the nice compliment on all that was left after the meal (this image)... ;-)
mmmmmmm!
7 Aug 2007 1:43pm
@Betsy Barron : www.thebetsy.com: That's the truth. Down to the last bite.
hey VF--by the time I'd got to the end of this narrative-I had ,unfortunately,started to dribble--so cheers pal I need a new shirt now;-))--billy
7 Aug 2007 5:53pm
@bronzebilly u.k.: Lol. You've got to get a grip, Billy. :-D
I've never had soft shell crabs. They kind of creep me out, although I love crab meat.
7 Aug 2007 9:13pm
@Laurie: If you like crab meat, you can't help but love soft shell crabs. You just gotta adopt the South Louisiana Cajun mindset, which is: we eat anything that doesn't eat us first. And we make it taste real good, too! You gotta try this sometime, but it has to be in an authentic Louisiana type restaurant. Can't fake it any other way.
Won't have to drive that far there is one right here in Alpharetta, thanks for letting me know where to get a plate : D
10 Aug 2007 7:19am
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