How to Pick a Crab

In Baltimore and throughout Maryland, crab feasts are a time-honored summer tradition. Here's how to pick a crab like a local:

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237-How-to-Pick-a-Crab_1.jpg
Though your hands are your best tools for eating crab, a paring knife and a mallet can come in handy, especially when dealing with the claws.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237-How-to-Pick-a-Crab_2.jpg
Pull the legs off-save them for cracking later-and grab the apron, a flexible shelf of cartilage on the underbelly that ends in a pointed tip.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237-How-to-Pick-a-Crab_3.jpg
Pull the apron back to break the crab open.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237-How-to-Pick-a-Crab_4.jpg
With your fingers, tear off and discard the spongy lungs, then dig out the lumps of meat underneath.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237_How-to-Pick-a-Crab_5.jpg
Crack open the legs (use the mallet if you like) and pry the meat free with the knife.
Techniques

How to Pick a Crab

In Baltimore and throughout Maryland, crab feasts are a time-honored summer tradition. Here's how to pick a crab like a local:

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237-How-to-Pick-a-Crab_1.jpg
Though your hands are your best tools for eating crab, a paring knife and a mallet can come in handy, especially when dealing with the claws.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237-How-to-Pick-a-Crab_2.jpg
Pull the legs off-save them for cracking later-and grab the apron, a flexible shelf of cartilage on the underbelly that ends in a pointed tip.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237-How-to-Pick-a-Crab_3.jpg
Pull the apron back to break the crab open.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237-How-to-Pick-a-Crab_4.jpg
With your fingers, tear off and discard the spongy lungs, then dig out the lumps of meat underneath.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2007images2007-1237_How-to-Pick-a-Crab_5.jpg
Crack open the legs (use the mallet if you like) and pry the meat free with the knife.

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