Crabbie Goodness
$1 crabs, even though not the greatest tonight, truly make one's taste buds happy.
Someone asked or suggested that it would be better to have someone else pick the crabs or pick all the meat and build a pile to eat at the end. I have been thinking about this because he also asked why put so much effort into such a small output. So what I came up with and which is close to what I told him is that it is more than looking to fill your belly but rather the entire "process" or "ritual" associated with a crab eating. For me, well I grew up on crabs being born and raised in Maryland. My mother's grandfather and even father I believe worked the bay for income. My mom has a quiet knowledge of bay seafood and when asked she'll share certain past times. Anyways I can remember probably when I started to eat on my own as a toddler eating crabs. I remember going through the phase of eating the picked crab meat from relatives around the outdoor picnic table in the heat of the summer months. I also recall running to the sink to wash my own crabs to get that darn Old Bay hot-flavoring off. I remember stealing the claws from everyone because I had the phase that that was all I ate at the time. Then as got to my early teen years, like 13, I remember being allowed to tame my heated thirst, from the summer time heat and the heat from the seasoning, with a couple small sips of beer from Dad. Well, that was it. The essence of Maryland crab feasting. Tasty hot steamed crabs + spicy Old Bay seasoning + family and friends + outdoor summer time + beer + laughter = the experience that is eating crabs for me. I would imagine that is how it is for most "true" Marylanders. I caught myself a few times not saying a word and just picking and shoveling crab meat in my trained mouth and thinking. Thinking of the past. Trying to recall the last time I ate crabs across from my Dad and seeing the seasoning and stray bits of crab meat cling to his beard. So yea, it is a little bit more than just filling the ole belly. :-)
One last thing that I've been thinking since $1 crab night is my choice of music. I gave my quick answer of everything but country is what I tune in to. But then I chimed with I do like the soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" not really knowing a name for that type of music. I feel it is not really country music, it is much different. Well wouldn't you know it there was a movie on HBO when I got home that had the music that I was thinking about. The movie??? "Songcatcher" The movie refers to the music as mountain music. Music from Appalachia or also ancient Scots-Irish ballads. I believe that the Carter family is know for this type of music. I know I like their music and it sounds similar, whether or not it is ancient ballads redone is something else. I must do some more research and buy some CD's. :-)
all in all, I had a very good time this evening. Great company helps that along.
Someone asked or suggested that it would be better to have someone else pick the crabs or pick all the meat and build a pile to eat at the end. I have been thinking about this because he also asked why put so much effort into such a small output. So what I came up with and which is close to what I told him is that it is more than looking to fill your belly but rather the entire "process" or "ritual" associated with a crab eating. For me, well I grew up on crabs being born and raised in Maryland. My mother's grandfather and even father I believe worked the bay for income. My mom has a quiet knowledge of bay seafood and when asked she'll share certain past times. Anyways I can remember probably when I started to eat on my own as a toddler eating crabs. I remember going through the phase of eating the picked crab meat from relatives around the outdoor picnic table in the heat of the summer months. I also recall running to the sink to wash my own crabs to get that darn Old Bay hot-flavoring off. I remember stealing the claws from everyone because I had the phase that that was all I ate at the time. Then as got to my early teen years, like 13, I remember being allowed to tame my heated thirst, from the summer time heat and the heat from the seasoning, with a couple small sips of beer from Dad. Well, that was it. The essence of Maryland crab feasting. Tasty hot steamed crabs + spicy Old Bay seasoning + family and friends + outdoor summer time + beer + laughter = the experience that is eating crabs for me. I would imagine that is how it is for most "true" Marylanders. I caught myself a few times not saying a word and just picking and shoveling crab meat in my trained mouth and thinking. Thinking of the past. Trying to recall the last time I ate crabs across from my Dad and seeing the seasoning and stray bits of crab meat cling to his beard. So yea, it is a little bit more than just filling the ole belly. :-)
One last thing that I've been thinking since $1 crab night is my choice of music. I gave my quick answer of everything but country is what I tune in to. But then I chimed with I do like the soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" not really knowing a name for that type of music. I feel it is not really country music, it is much different. Well wouldn't you know it there was a movie on HBO when I got home that had the music that I was thinking about. The movie??? "Songcatcher" The movie refers to the music as mountain music. Music from Appalachia or also ancient Scots-Irish ballads. I believe that the Carter family is know for this type of music. I know I like their music and it sounds similar, whether or not it is ancient ballads redone is something else. I must do some more research and buy some CD's. :-)
all in all, I had a very good time this evening. Great company helps that along.