PHP Warning: Use of undefined constant VBA_SCRIPT - assumed 'VBA_SCRIPT' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in ..../includes/functions_navigation.php(802) : eval()'d code on line 1 How to keep crab
I am going crabbing this weekend and need to know if I can keep my muddies and blue swimmers fresh in the fridge (alive, or on ice), and or freeze live whole or gutted and cook later?
I've kept mudcrabs alive in a hessian bag for a couple of days with a few washes in fresh salt water during the day. Don't let them sit in water or dry out or go too long without water. The idea is to keep the humidity up and keep them cool. In summer this is a little time consuming but worth it.
Sand crabs are more sensitive so if possible, set down a keeper pot with the crabs in but tie the buggers' claws up so they don't fight in the pot.
Oh and make sure they are right way up too. If left upside down, they'll die.
Otherwise, just eat the buggers straight away ! Don't know how you can sit n watch them when there's cold beer and fresh cooked crab on the menu !
That's my experiences so far anyway. Hope it helps.
This is how I do it M8.
Kill & clean your crabs. Boil some salted water and blanch the crabs for 2 minutes only. Drop the hot crab into COLD salted water to cool for a few minutes. Drain them and put into freezer bags and freeze ASAP.
In qld we cannot have a crab with the carapace removed (unless it about to be immediatly consumed) so when you clean the crab, clean out the shell and when blanched, replace the shell. Not breaking any rules this way.
When you cook the crabs boil them for 10 minutes only, the previous blanching stops the meat from sticking to the shell.
This has been the way I have done it for many years and it never fails and the crab meat is not mushy this way either.
baldy
fishyfingers,
A bit late with my reply but here goes.
Four of us went from Cent. Qld. to Booroloola in 2001. We stayed there 14 days and one of the blokes decided to try and bring some fresh muddies home to his wife.
We caught 7 crabs the day before we left and left them in a keeper pot until just before we left.
A saltwater wet hessian bag was placed in the bottom of an esky, the 7 tied crabs placed on this (tail or flap down and boddies upright at a 45 degree angle), another saltwater wet hessian bag placed on top of them and them the esky filled up with red mangrove leaves (illegal), the lid was then taped on.
When he opened the esky at home 3 days later all the crabs were alive.
Moral of the story.
1. Keep out of wind.
2. Keep moist.
3. Stow tail down and upright.
Hope this helps in the future.
Cheers,
Mr.Smog.
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