Order your Soft Shell Crabs

The whole deal with soft shell crabs is this: Blue crabs molt their hard exoskeleton to grow, replaced by new, soft shells, but these new shells harden within hours, leaving a small window when the crabs can be harvested for eating. We'll be ordering whale-sized soft shell crabs from Maryland — Chesapeake Bay to be precise. (They're not as big as a whale; "whale" is just the name for the largest soft shells.)

Soft shell crabs are a unique culinary experience, typically prepared so that the entire crab is edible. The inedible parts — gills, abdomen, mouth — are removed before cooking (and before you pick them up), leaving only the crab's meat and its shell. Speaking of: The shell is soft and pliable and completely safe to eat.

When deep-fried or sautéed, you can bite directly into the crab and enjoy the contrast between the crispy exterior and the succulent meat inside — and they are truly amazing on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and our market-made remoulade. There's no need to remove any part of the crab; it's a dish that's intriguing and delicious and meant to be enjoyed whole, offering a taste of the sea in every bite.

Order soft shell crabs through Thursday, May 2; pick up your order at the store of your choice starting Friday, May 10.

Soft Shell Crabs
$13.99/ea