Stone Crab: The Florida Speciality That's as Luxurious as It Gets
If you happen to ever be at a restaurant that has stone crabs on the menu, there are two things that should indicate: one, you’re at a very nice restaurant; and two, you should order them. Stone crabs are expensive, but they’re one of America’s finest delicacies, and are incredibly delicious. But what are stone crabs, exactly? And what makes them so special?
WHAT IS STONE CRAB?
Stone crab, officially called Florida stone crab, is a crab that’s native to the western North Atlantic but are particularly abundant off of Florida’s coast. Their bodies are relatively small, but their claws are quite large – in fact, claws are the only part of the crab that’s eaten.
When stone crabs are caught, one or both claws are removed and the crabs are returned to the water, where the claws re-grow. That’s right: stone crab claws re-grow, so the crab doesn’t need to be killed.
WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT STONE CRAB?
Stone crabs can only legally be harvested for a relatively brief window of time every year and must be caught sustainably by trained fishermen without killing the crab, leading to a limited supply. They have a mild flavor and a very delicate texture that’s unlike any other crab (or seafood, for that matter), and must be handled and shipped with the utmost care – and eaten soon after being caught – in order to maintain freshness. These are the reasons why stone crab is so special – and so expensive.
WHAT DOES STONE CRAB TASTE LIKE?
Stone crab claws have a very mild flavor that’s both sweet and savory, and it’s not overly “fishy” tasting. It’s typically served chilled or at room temperature, alongside a mustard-mayo sauce that provides a creamy, tangy counterpoint to the crab’s flavor and texture.
(Related: The 3 Best Lobster Tails Can Be Delivered Right to Your Door)
WHAT IS STONE CRAB SEASON IN FLORIDA?
Florida stone crab season is relatively brief – from October 15th to May 1st – in order to maintain their population. They’re caught using baited traps, and claws must be 73 mm (2 7/8 inches) or greater in length in order to be removed. Also, if a female crab is discovered to be carrying eggs, it must be returned to the water immediately.
MOST FAMOUS STONE CRAB
Joe’s Stone Crab
Miami Beach’s Joe’s Stone Crab is far-and-away the most famous stone crab restaurant in America; in fact, the restaurant serves so many stone crab claws that it plays a major role in supporting Florida’s entire stone crab industry! It was founded in 1918 as a small lunch counter by Joe Weiss, who began serving stone crabs to customers three years later. Believe it or not, few people were eating stone crab claws when Joe added them to the menu, but it quickly caught on. Today, Joe’s Stone Crab is one of Miami’s quintessential fine dining restaurants, still family-run.
George Stone Crab
George Stone Crab was founded by Roger Duarte in 2008, and today it’s the largest national stone crab home delivery company, also supplying dozens of markets, fish houses, and restaurants. At its heart is a team of more than 80 fishermen who take to the Florida Bay’s high seas daily during the season and bring in between 3,000 to 5,000 pounds of claws daily. They’re quickly cooked, packed, shipped, and delivered within 24-36 hours of being caught.
Santa Barbara Stone Crab Co.
As the name implies, Santa Barbara Stone Crab Co. specializes in a lesser-known West Coast variety of stone crab, called Pacific Red Stone Crabs. These crabs are harvested year-round, and Santa Barbara Stone Crab is the only commercial fishermen’s outlet that directly sells to the public in the city. These claws are sweet and tender, and delivered to your door within 24 hours of being harvested.
This article originally appeared on Goldbelly.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Lobster rolls & coffee milk: Iconic foods of the Northeast
Some of the best foods in the world are the signature dishes you can find in every American state. These mouth-watering dishes are made by the state's unique history, geography and people that make each state unique, so you know you’re in for something special.
For foodies looking to try them all, luckily a road trip across the U.S. isn't hard to plan. After the list of iconic foods, we share tips to help you decrease your travel costs. Knowing how to compare credit cards for gas or dining, or ways to save on your trip can make these iconic dishes even more enjoyable.
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The lobster roll is a popular dish throughout New England, but its makeup varies from state to state. The Connecticut-style lobster roll typically involves a split-top hot dog bun, hot chunks of lobster meat, and an accompaniment of warm butter. And that’s basically all you need. Sweet lobster flavors mix with rich buttery goodness, resulting in the perfect dish to enjoy your time along the Connecticut coast.
Honorable mentions: White clam pizza and steamed cheeseburgers
C3PICS / istockphotoConnecticut has its hot lobster roll and Maine has its cold lobster roll. Choosing the better version may be a challenge best left unresolved, but let it be known that most of America’s lobsters come from Maine, so do with that information as you will.
The “Maine” difference between the two lobster roll styles comes down to the temperature of the lobster. Connecticut-style rolls use hot lobster and Maine-style rolls use cold lobster. In many instances, a cold lobster roll is more like a lobster salad, with lobster meat tossed in mayonnaise, and placed on a roll.
Honorable mention: Whoopie pie
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Franks and beans, fried clams, and Boston cream pies are Massachusetts staples, but nothing is likely more iconic than a piping hot bowl of clam “chowdah.” Keep in mind that New England clam chowder is not the same as Manhattan clam chowder. The former is white while the latter is red. New England clam chowder often has clams and potatoes mixed together in a rich, creamy broth. Throw in some oyster crackers for a little crunch and you’re good to go.
Honorable mentions: Boston cream pie and Boston baked beans
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The Northeast has plenty of apple-picking locations and cider mills, and many of them are located in New Hampshire. This makes it easy to churn out apple cider doughnuts by the hundreds. Local grocery stores and supermarkets often have these delights for sale, especially during the fall months, but there’s nothing like getting a hot cider doughnut and a cup of cold apple cider straight from the source.
Honorable mentions: Poutine
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The pork roll, or Taylor ham, is often regarded as the unofficial New Jersey state sandwich. Sliced and pan-fried or grilled pork is thrown onto a roll with egg and melted cheese and served to you for breakfast. If that’s not a great way to start the day, then what is? There’s nothing fancy about a pork roll, which is perfectly fine. Your breakfast food doesn’t have to look fancy to taste amazing.
Honorable mentions: Disco fries
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New York is home to loads of Italian dishes, but a New York-style pizza might be the Empire State’s most iconic. New York-style typically means a thin-crust pizza with just the right amount of sauce and cheese. This is different from a Chicago deep-dish pizza because thin-crust pizzas don’t often add a hefty amount of ingredients. It’s a simple affair that’s loved worldwide and heavily sought-after by visitors to New York.
Honorable mentions: Buffalo wings and bagels
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Philadelphia and cheesesteak are the perfect pairing, but Philly isn’t the only city in Pennsylvania that sells this warm and gooey sandwich. In fact, the cheesesteak has become popular nationwide. But loads of visitors still head to the source for a taste of the original. But if you can’t make it to the Northeast, thinly-sliced beef, onions, and melted cheese on a long roll are all you need for this classic.
Honorable mentions: Scrapple and shoofly pie
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Not exactly a food or dish, but coffee milk is unique enough to earn its spot on the list, and it’s actually the state drink of Rhode Island. Coffee milk is made with coffee syrup and mixed with milk to create something new. If you add ice cream to the mix, you get a different drink, called the coffee cabinet. Order one at restaurants and diners throughout Rhode Island or pick up some syrup yourself and make coffee milk at home.
Honorable mentions: Clam cakes and stuffies
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If Utah gets fry sauce, Vermont gets maple syrup. This isn’t the corn-based syrup we’re talking about here. This is the bonafide liquid gold that’s produced by the millions of gallons in Vermont, far exceeding maple syrup production in the next closest state (New York). Vermont residents enjoy maple syrup on pancakes, waffles, bacon, and even snow. In addition, the state flavor of Vermont is, you guessed it, maple.
Honorable mention: Apple pie with cheddar cheese
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If you have your next road trip planned out, consider applying these tips to help you save money while traveling:
- Earn cash back on gas. The best credit cards for gas can help you save money on frequent stops to pump fuel. Many cards earn bonus rewards on gas purchases, which is money being put back into your pocket. Check out popular gas cards like the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card and Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
- Get rewarded at restaurants. The best credit cards for dining are an ideal way to pay for restaurant expenses if you’re embarking on a foodie road trip. These types of cards often earn higher rates on dining purchases, so it’s like getting a discount whenever you eat out. Cards like the Chase Freedom Flex and American Express Gold Card are ideal dining cards to keep in your wallet.
- Earn valuable hotel points. The best hotel credit cards offer excellent opportunities to earn rewards points on different types of purchases. These points can be redeemed for award nights at thousands of hotels nationwide. So if you want to discount your hotel stays while traveling, consider cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and World of Hyatt Credit Card.
- Pack what you need. You don’t need to bring everything you own on a road trip, but packing road trip essentials can be helpful. A water bottle you can fill up at gas stations, a cooler to pack your own groceries, and mobile apps for navigation can all help you save money in their own ways.
Hitting the open road is a great option for exploring new places and scratching that travel itch. As you plan your epic road trip, remember you have plenty of options for unique destinations countrywide. The U.S. is a multicultural melting pot filled with rich history. In addition, you have loads of opportunities to eat amazing and iconic dishes in every state.
Read more:
The most-loathed food in every state
Iconic foods of the Southeast everyone should try at least once
Salmon & huckleberries: The most iconic local foods of the West
This article originally appeared on FinanceBuzz.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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