on Jan 19th, 2008About Maine shrimp
These sex-changing crustaceans are also called native shrimp and they’re harvested from the cold waters of the Gulf of Maine. They’re considered to be a delicacy — some people eat them raw – and are only available for several weeks in the dead of winter.
Their official name is Pandalus borealis and they live their entire lives in the Gulf. While some Maine shrimp end up at fishmongers in other parts of the country, it is in this northern nook of New England that they’re most plentiful and sold in a casual way. Some specialty shops have them at specialty shop prices, but most of us buy them from individuals and often from the back of a pickup truck within a day of their being caught. That’s how I got mine, just off a busy road, at $3.50 per pound. Heads and all.
This species is also found in the North Sea and off the coasts of Japan and Washington state. According to wikipedia, they begin life as males and transform into females — their genitalia changes — within a year or two. The timetable depends on how many females are available to maintain procreation. If there are too many, the males delay the change but can begin it earlier if there’s a shortage.
They’re little; that’s about half a pound in the photo. Their size makes them especially sweet and prized; the fact they are backyard-fresh adds to their appeal. The Boston Globe says much of the small harvest of native shrimp ends up on upscale menus, although connoisseurs like them briny and raw, tails peeled, heads still on.
Because they’re so delicate and tender they are more perishable than supermarket shrimp, most of which are imported. My native shrimp are in the freezer right now, waiting for a special moment, but they are best when prepared very simply. Boiling them in salted water for a minute or two, stirring constantly, is a good method and they’re ideal candidates for ceviche, letting citric acid do the cooking.
Even if you never have an opportunity to try them, you just might think of them the next time someone mentions going through “the change.” Gender-morphing Maine shrimp give that phrase a new meaning.
Maine Shrimp Ceviche
Trim, if desired, and devein the shrimp. Marinate in salted lemon juice for 2 -4 hours. Pat dry and serve in a mixture of diced tomatoes, scallions, green pepper and a little olive oil.
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Or just tell Ella “Deliver to my suite at noon, with Champagne!”
That too!
mmmmm! My mouth is watering!
I think you need to run a little sideline;
FedExing Maine shrimp to the boondocks! <3
sage! I wish I could send you some.
I hesitated about posting a photo of shrimp that still have heads and eyes, so I’m glad it didn’t bother you. Some people are squeamish (I am, sometimes) and I respect that.
There’s a little store front up the street from me that sells them cheap. I only ever ate them in cocktail sauce or breaded and fried - didn’t know what else to do with them, or how to peel them- they’re so tiny.
I’ll have to get some –Thanks!
(LOL –I once worked in high end restaurant, where a woman nearly took the vapors because her trout almondine was looking at her.
She screamed - “Oh - he has a head!”
And I thought, “Well, of COURSE he has a head…how’s he going to see where he’s swimming, without a head…?”
Linda’s last blog post..NO MORE NEGATIVITY. This Means Us.
I can imagine her reaction! Sometimes when I teach people how to eat hard shell crabs and they find out crabs have eyes…
Bon appetit! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you so much for the post on Maine shrimp. I used to buy them from the back of a truck when I lived in Sudbury, MA. Now I live in Gloucester — they call them native shrimp here. I just bought some on a trip to Maine and have been experimenting with how to prepare them. A challenge, but very worth it. I have a recipe on my blog, and thanks for yours! I particularly appreciated the info about the sexes. I couldn’t figure out how there could be so many females compared to males (that is, how there could be so many with roe).
Question: can you describe the flavor, which is so unlike regular shrimp and so wonderful? I can’t find the right words…
Beebe
Beebe - That sex-change aspect is rather amazing, isn’t it?
I think the only way I could describe the taste is sweet. Sweet and clean. That still doesn’t do it justice.
You must be up to your ears in lobster, though. I can’t believe the low prices right now. I can finally understand how it was so plentiful in the 18th C that it was relegated to the help.
Thanks for stopping by!