You can eat pea crabs raw or cooked, such as quickly stir-fried in butter or flash-fried.
Pea crabs are tiny crabs that often live symbiotically inside oysters, mussels, and other bivalves. If you encounter these small crustaceans, there are a couple of straightforward ways to prepare and consume them, as highlighted by culinary practices.
Methods for Enjoying Pea Crabs
Based on common practices and the provided reference, here are the primary ways to eat pea crabs:
1. Eating Them Raw
One simple approach is to consume pea crabs raw. This method allows you to experience their natural flavor directly.
- Key Requirement: It is crucial, as with any shellfish intended for raw consumption, that the pea crabs are alive before you eat them.
2. Cooking Methods
If you prefer cooking, there are quick and effective ways to prepare pea crabs:
- Quick Stir-Fry: A very nice way to cook them is with a quick stir in a skillet with some butter. This method imparts a rich flavor and cooks the small crabs rapidly.
- Flash-Frying: Another option is flash-frying. The reference mentions "Herman's flash-frying method," suggesting a rapid, high-heat cooking technique that can result in a crispy texture.
Regardless of the method you choose, always ensure the pea crabs are alive if you plan to eat them. This is a standard safety guideline for consuming shellfish.
Whether enjoyed raw or lightly cooked, pea crabs are often described as having a delicate flavor, sometimes with a slight sweetness, and can be a unique culinary experience.
