Maryland Blue Crabs?!
Maryland Blue Crabs?
How much meat is in the Maryland Blue crab? What parts are edible? How many people would a bushel feed?
Answers:
The amount of meat depends on how "heavy" the crabs are. Sometimes you get crabs that are full of hot, salty water. Sometimes you get really tender meaty crabs. Definitely clarify the "heaviness" of the crabs with whoever you're ordering from.
As far as what is edible, that really varies from person to person. Most will agree that the front claws and the main body contain the most edible meat. My favorite meat is in the body but it may take practice to figure out how you like to break the crab apart to get the meat the way you want it. I usually pry the top shell off, break the crab in half down the middle, and then break each half again, so I've got the crab quartered. I do this after I've already eaten the claws. Lots of people do it differently though. Don't smash the crab's shell with a mallet, you'll end up with shell pieces in your mouth, or worse, down your throat. Try sticking your thumb or a butter knife at the back of the shell where it lays on the body and pull up.
Some people take the time to break apart the backfins and eat the meat there. You can definitely get meat out of them if you're willing to take the time. Sometimes its hard to spend your time maximizing each crag when all your drunk/hungry friends are tearing through the pile on the table.
Lots of people eat the "mustard" which is some sort of impurity filtering system for the crab. I'll eat it occasionally, but I think you should avoid eating it in large amounts if possible. If it gets on the meat, you're fine, consider it a topping.
We usually get a bushel of crabs for 10-15 people, but it really depends on appetites. I've eaten 25 light crabs in one sitting, only to get full after 6 or 8 heavy crabs at another time. My advice is to buy them as heavy as possible and figure a little under 10 for each person (half that if they're not big eaters, or first time crabbers.)
Good luck, enjoy those crabs.
Source(s):
marylander
"A good estimate of how many crabs to get for each person is about 6-8. More or less depending on appetites."
http://www.marylandinfo.com/sponsorships...
"Generally speaking, a bushel of number 1 or "Jimmy" crabs will hold 60 - 70 crabs depending on how big the crabs are at that time of year. If there are 60 - 70 crabs, they will feed about 10 - 12 people depending upon what else is on the menu. If you have all kinds of food, such as salads, hot dogs, chicken, etc., you'll probably need half as many crabs. If you serve only steamed crabs, clams, corn and beverages, you'll need the whole bushel."
http://www.cantlers.com/maryland-blue-cr...
"Shell vs. meat. Don't be discouraged if it looks like you're not getting a lot of meat off the crab. According to Hannan, the weight of the edible meat is equal to about 15 percent of the weight of the shell, so there's going to be a lot of stuff you can't eat."
http://www.fineliving.com/fine/favorite_...