Home › Shellfish › Soft-Shelled Crabs

Soft-Shelled Crabs

The shells of crabs are so soft after shedding that soft-shell crabs must be used at once; if they're kept even overnight they begin to harden.

You kill a soft-shell crab by sticking a knife between his goggling eyes, lift the pointed tips of his top shell and remove the white spongelike lungs. Then flip him over onto his back and remove the tailpiece or apron. Wash carefully, dry, and cook at once.