kilikini wrote:
> "Nancy Young" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "kilikini" > wrote
> >
> > > "Nancy Young" > wrote
[snp]
> > Exactly, and the crabmeat might be more inclined to
> > come out in one piece. And the leg segments might
> > snap in two more readily, that's the best way to get
> > to the meat rather than trying to drag it out one end.
> >
>
> So you suggest taking it out of the shell frozen? I've never tried that
> before! I'll have to do it next time to see what happens. Makes sense that
> you get the whole piece out. Thanks!
>
Um, I have little experience with snow crabs, but I've shelled/picked
tons of Dungeness, and the way to get large pieces out whole is to do a
good job of busting up the shell. No need to be futzing around with
the pick, just think in terms of removing the shell from the meat
rather than removing the meat from the shell.

It may not matter for bisque, but freezing/thawing crab meat also
softens the texture noticeably. -aem