Eating blue crab can be a delicious and enjoyable experience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to eat them:
1. **Prepare the Crab**: If the crab is still alive, you'll need to cook it first. This can be done by boiling, steaming, or grilling the crab until it turns bright red. Once cooked, let it cool down slightly before handling.
2. **Break Off the Legs and Claws**: Start by twisting off the legs and claws from the body of the crab. You can do this by holding the body firmly and pulling the legs and claws away.
3. **Crack Open the Claws**: Use a crab cracker or a nutcracker to gently crack open the claws. Carefully remove the meat from inside the claws using a seafood fork or your fingers.
4. **Remove the Apron**: Flip the crab over and locate the apron, which is a small triangular flap on the underside of the body. Pull it off to expose the opening of the shell.
5. **Remove the Top Shell**: Hold the crab firmly and use your thumbs to push up and separate the top shell from the body. Discard the shell.
6. **Clean Out the Gills and Viscera**: Inside the body, you'll find the gills and viscera. Remove and discard them, as they are not edible.
7. **Break the Body in Half**: Use a knife or your hands to break the body of the crab in half. This will make it easier to access the meat inside.
8. **Extract the Meat from the Body**: Use a seafood fork or your fingers to carefully pick out the meat from inside the body segments. Be sure to check for any small pieces of shell that may be mixed in with the meat.
9. **Enjoy**: Once you've extracted all the meat, you can enjoy it as is or use it in recipes such as crab cakes, salads, or pasta dishes.
10. **Crack and Eat the Legs**: Crack open the legs with a crab cracker or your teeth to extract the meat inside. Use a seafood fork or your fingers to pick out the meat from the leg segments.
11. **Don't Forget the Claw Meat**: The meat from the claws is often considered the most delicious part of the crab, so be sure to savor every bite!
12. **Dispose of the Shell**: Once you've finished eating, dispose of the empty crab shell and any leftover parts responsibly.
Enjoy your blue crab feast!