Local Crabs: Giant and Teeenytiny

[Amy Huggins]

Rumor has it there are huge blue crabs to be had in local markets like Billy's and Carawan's... I haven't seen them myself yet, but folks are braggin'. Looking forward to getting some this weekend.

AND

Recent harvests from local oyster beds are sending tinycrab shockwaves thru the community... for many locals, oyster origins are suspect if you don't find an almost equal amount of tiny crabs inside.

Giant or teeny, please share ideas on how to cook these crabs (and oysters)!

[Elizabeth Wiegand]

Hey Amy;
When researching for THE OUTER BANKS COOKBOOK, I was told about those teeny crabs, called "pea crabs," by the locals. They would just pop them in their mouths, raw, or et them steamed with the oysters. Symbiotic? Sounds weird but delicious. Elizabeth Wiegand

[Amy Huggins]

we had some in the oysters we steamed last night - yep - just pop them in your mouth - crunchy-yummy!! come visit soon and we'll eat some together!