I spied these at the local Asian market and had to grab some. Now what? They were sold as "blue crabs" (is that correct?), but the people there couldn't tell me what to do with them. I haven't the foggiest idea!! The bodies are about 5" wide, and the shells are hard.

They're alive (mostly) for now anyways, we'll see by the time I get home. Do I HAVE to clean and/or cook them tonight? I have plans and would LOVE to chuck them in the frig or freezer until tomorrow. Any links to appropriate cleaning and or cooking vids or whatever, would be great. Please, and THANK YOU!!!

Boil them with some crab boil and then tear them apart and eat the meat in the legs, claws and body.

RMD

Cook it like any other crab?

When dead, crabs release a toxin. So IF I was going to wait a day, I'd clean and freeze them.

It's possible you may be able to just toss them in the freezer as they are. I'm not sure that even kills them...crabs live in some crazy cold environments.

As for cooking...we just boil them until they float. Your crabs look dirty (lol), I'd find a way to wash them with cold water and scrub them clean...but that may be unnecessary. When doing crab on the boat, we just throw them right into a boiling pot of seawater.

quote:

Originally posted by rduckwor:
Boil them with some crab boil and then tear them apart and eat the meat in the legs, claws and body.

RMD

Same, many many times. They turn orange when cooked, or a brighter color, 20-30 minutes.
I don't know how clean you need to get them if you're boiling them

I hear there's a special kind of soap that you're supposed to use ...

Keep them cool until ready to cook which should be tonight. Don't cook the dead ones. You don't need to clean them. To make them easier to handle before you put them in a pot, you can put them in ice water for a few minutes. That will make them slow moving but you can still tell if they are alive.

Steam them, don't boil them.

http://www.cookingchanneltv.co...y-steamed-blue-crabs

Maryland crab cakes.

See a doctor and get rid of them.

I don't know anything about Blue Crabs, but we have cooked and eaten bizillions of Dungeness crabs. We just throw them into boiling water with a goodly amount of sea salt and boil them till they turn bright orange. Usually takes 15-20 minutes. Rip the top shell off, clean out the loose stuff (crab butter) crack and eat.

Personally, I wouldn't freeze them without cooking and cleaning them first. I've never heard of anyone doing this.

Edit to add that we put them into ice water after they are cooked to stop them from continuing to cook and getting a little tough.

Jim

Those are blue crabs and they are delicious. I'm not sure any crab is tastier. Some of the bigger crabs are easier to eat, but they aren't any better.

Google "Steamed Blue Crabs" and you'll get dozens of receipes. They are all basically the same, though.

Cook them while they are still alive. That probably means cooking them tonight.

Quick boil with Old Bay Seasoning and dipped in melted butter and vinegar.

We ate quite a few blue claws when we lived in New Jersey.

It was fun drifting at night in the shallow bays with bright lights- Blue claws can swim and at night they come to the surface.

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
Quick boil with Old Bay Seasoning and dipped in melted butter and vinegar.

We ate quite a few blue claws when we lived in New Jersey.

It was fun drifting at night in the shallow bays with bright lights- Blue claws can swim and at night they come to the surface.

[regional jesting]Whatever you do, don't use the vile concoction known as Old Bay. It's the solid leftovers from dehydrating water from Cheseapeake Bay.[/regional jesting] Do it the way we do it in the Gulf Coast.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:
I hear there's a special kind of soap that you're supposed to use ...

Yes and you dont even have to pick them up to wash them. Just put your finger down there and they will hang on while you wash them...

My impressions with these, just like crawfish, is if you don't cook them live you are taking a big chance.

Like a raw-chicken lollipop sort of chance!

steam them w/ some beer mixed in..

Thank you so much everyone. I was afraid that I got in over my head as far as how much time I have available tonight. I gave them to a good friend's family, so they will cook and eat them tonight. I have shared this link with them so say Hi to Thad and Kim! LOL thanks again!

A) They will keep on ice

B) Slap ya mama is my preference over old bay

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
Quick boil with Old Bay Seasoning and dipped in melted butter and vinegar.

We ate quite a few blue claws when we lived in New Jersey.

It was fun drifting at night in the shallow bays with bright lights- Blue claws can swim and at night they come to the surface.

Yup, that's what we use here. Cook until red, spread out a few sheets of newspaper, beer, good to go.

They make great pets !!! God Bless

Either boil in an Old Bay and water solution or layer them in a steamer, dusting each layer with Old Bay as you stack them. Steam with water, vinegar, and beer.

As you've been warned, only cook live ones.