Crawdad Question

[ThreeLions]

My kids like to go crawdad hunting every now and again and we are headed out this evening to try for a few.

My son just asked me a question to which I do not know the answer: is it possible/safe to eat any crawdads that we might catch in small local creeks?

If so, what would be the best way to cook them up?

DAVE

[stripernut]

not sure about the safe part, i guess it depends on the water quality of the stream youre at.

my son and i sein crawdads to eat every summer.

large pot of boiling water with a bag of Zatarains Crab Boil in the water.
drop the crawdads in the boiling water for between 1 and 2 minutes. remove from the boiling water and put in a strainer and run cold water over them.
put in a closed container and chill in the fridge for a couple of hours.
twist and peel the tail and dip in clarified butter...wow i gotta go get the sein.

p.s. they sure are good in a pot with fresh corn on the cob, red potatoes with a 1/2 pound of real butter and a bag of crab boil

[artcarney_agr]

I've never caught enough of a decent size to want to mess with boiling them.

I gotta have at least a 40 lb sack, as I can eat 10 lbs easy!

My buddy from Baton Rouge brings up a few sacks during late April when the market price collapses after Easter.

[sweetwater]

I've never caught enough of a decent size to want to mess with boiling them.

I gotta have at least a 40 lb sack, as I can eat 10 lbs easy!

My buddy from Baton Rouge brings up a few sacks during late April when the market price collapses after Easter.

Art nailed it. Being from Alabama I've seen my share of crawfish boils and 7 to 10 pounds each would be just about right for most hungry adults. If you wanted to eat a few local crawfish it won't hurt a thing. Just make sure you purge them for at least 24 to 48 hours before you boil them or they will taste like mud. Never cook dead crawfish either or you could have a sleepless night ahead of you.

[artcarney_agr]

Just make sure you purge them for at least 24 to 48 hours before you boil them or they will taste like mud. Never cook dead crawfish either or you could have a sleepless night ahead of you.

Bingo!