Video: Blue Crabbin' At Night

If you live near the coast of New England, you have a major food source in your backyard. Our local waters host many forms of sea life that can be classified as delicacies, and with a little knowledge and determination, you can usually scrounge up a free meal. When the weather heats up in August, my culinary pursuits turn toward Callinectes sapidus, better known as the blue crab. These tasty crustaceans are available in good numbers in the summer months, they’re fun to catch, and they’re even more fun to eat!

In other parts of the country “crabbing” is a serious pastime, but here in New England it is often overlooked or considered a diversion for kids. But this shouldn’t be the case. Our bays and estuaries are home to millions of blue crabs, which, as far as table fare is concerned, are topped only by lobsters and bay scallops in my book. They’re fun to chase and easy to catch. Cape Cod marks the northernmost reach for these critters, although a few will make appearances in Cape Cod Bay. In the late-summer months they are around in good numbers, and anywhere south of the Cape they are plentiful.