On 07/01/2010 12:21 PM, Steve Pope wrote:
> Serene > wrote:
>
>> On 06/30/2010 01:26 PM, Steve Pope wrote:
>
>>> For me Dungeness is the best crab. It's at its absolute best
>>> at the very beginning of the season... really through about
>>> New Years then it declines.
>
>> When's the season? (Yes, I could google it, but I'll just ask.) We had
>> some live ones a couple days ago, and they were DELICIOUS.
>
> The northern California season usually opens November 15,
> and closes on a more variable date (typical would be June 30).
> Fresh crabs from other parts of the west coast are available
> during other times of year. A seafood chain like McCormick
> and Schmitt's (sp?) will have fresh Dungeness nearly year round,
> as will many fish markets.
>
> But IMO, from opening day until Jan. 1 or so is really the time
> to eat local crab... the quality is best then, and the prices
> are likely to be at their lowest. Some years, they harvest
> about half the total catch in the first few days of the season.

Thanks. I'll have to try them in November, and see if the difference is
noticeable to me and the kid (who loves them -- James can't be bothered
and doesn't see what's so great about shellfish in general).

Serene