Doing Research

     As you may recall, the primary purpose of my trip to the Conch Republic was to do some serious research on Menippe mercenaria, the stone crab.  Well I'm happy to report to you my findings.

     This variety of crab is found in waters from Connecticut  to Belize, including the shores off Texas and into the Gulf of Mexico, Cuba and the Bahamas.  It is brownish red with grey spots and a light tan underside and has large, strong unequally sized claws with characteristic black tips that can break an oyster's shell.  It is harvested near jetties, oyster reefs and rocky areas.  The body is relatively small in comparison to the claws and is not consumed.  It is the claws that are prized as a food source and only one is removed during crabbing season which extends from October 15 to May 15 and must by law be at least 2.75 inches from tip to the first joint.  That claw can regenerate in time so in effect stone crab claws are a renewable resource.  They are sold commercially by size: medium, large, jumbo and colossal.

     And I conducted more research on the topic at the Eaton Street Seafood Market.  There I purchased a pound of the mediums and took them home for examination and consumption.  Dipped in a key lime sauce they were phenomenal!