Pause for the Claws: It’s Stone Crab Season
It’s the time of year when one of our favorite sustainable crustaceans, stone crabs appear on the menus from Oct. 15 through May 1. Found in both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, fishermen use traps to capture the crabs. Only one of the meaty, juicy claws is harvested and the crabs are returned to the ocean, where they will regenerate the missing claw. Big pots of claws are boiled on site, then shipped off to restaurants, consumers and seafood suppliers locally and nationally.
As the season begins, it’s too soon for fishermen to know how the stone crab harvest will be affected by Hurricane Ian, which churned through Southwest Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission waived commercial stone crab trap tag requirements in counties in Southwest and Northeast Florida in an effort the help crabbers return to business as soon as possible.
Compared to some of their counterparts on the west coast, fishermen in the Florida Keys avoided damage to their equipment when the storm passed to the west, says a spokesperson for Acapella Seafood Co. “Our fisherman in the Keys secured all their gear in preparation for the storm. Luckily there was no major direct damage to their boats and they were able to safely drop crab traps on October 5th. We patiently await in hopes of yet another successful season opener this upcoming October 15th.”
Fishermen won’t know right away about availability and pricing, which typically unfolds the first two weeks of production, says the spokesperson.
Claws are sold in medium (6-7 per lb.), large (4-5), jumbo (3-4) and colossal (1-2) sizes and are typically served cold with mustard sauce. They’re highly perishable and should be eaten within a day after they’re cracked.
South Floridians celebrate the start of the season with fanfare, dining out at places like Joe’s Stone Crab, while others order for delivery.
EVENTS
Stone crabs figure prominently in the South Beach Seafood Festival, Oct. 19-22 in Miami Beach.
In the Keys, the annual Stone Crab Eating Contest is Saturday, Nov. 5 at Keys Fisheries Market and Marina, located at 35th Street gulfside in Marathon. The competition begins at noon. Entrants must register and be present by 11am. the day of the event. Contestants compete to crack, clean and chow down 25 stone crab claws in the fastest time.
WHERE TO FIND STONE CRABS
Here are some of South Florida’s top stone crab suppliers and restaurants:
Acapella Seafood Co., Miami
Sourced from fishermen in the Florida Keys and shipped from Miami, Acapella’s stone crab claws come with a container of mustard sauce and a mallet.
Holy Crab, Coral Gables
Takeout and dine-in at MKT Kitchen, or place orders for next-day delivery nationwide.
Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant, Miami Beach
Open for its 110th season, Joe’s is known globally for their claws, service, hash browns and key lime pie.
Milam's Markets, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, Coral Gables
Locally owned famiy supermarkets always stock fresh stone crabs in season.
Rivertail, Fort Lauderdale
Stone crabs make their seasonal appearance on the menu in addition to its seafood-driven selection from chef Jose Mendin.
Shore-to-Door, Coconut Grove
Small local fish market specializes in fresh, local seafood, including stone crabs.
Trulucks, Brickell
Throughout the season. his chain works with fisheries and crabbing professionals during the season, selling crabs locally and nationally in their restaurants.
