QUEL DOMMAGE, WHAT A LOSS / HERE WE GO, IN THE SAUCE: Peel-and-eat shrimp, hardshell crabs, ribs -- I like my summer foods messy. Others don't find it to be worth the effort. You?
Ribs are the only one of those that I'll occasionally find worth the effort. I don't even like bone-in chicken or cutting up my own lettuce leaves. If it weren't for the blueberry-pie defect, I'd just eat those Wonka pills.
Indeed. And I find that once I get into a rhythm, by the third crab, it all just feels very natural and efficient. And so worth it. This is one of those things on which Jen and I have long disagreed.
Well, I mean, I'm all for something I can shovel on in without thinking about it. But I'm also from Maine. It's fun sometimes to tear apart a softshell lobster with my bare hands. But steamed clams are my fave--pull open, pull out, peel off that weird black thing, wash, butter, eat. Tastes as good as it looks gross.
Uh oh. I never realized there was a wash step (but of course there's a wash step), and now my lifetime of fresh shellfish eating is flashing across my eyes and I'm feeling really gross.
Ballpark hotdogs (that is, hotdogs eaten at the ballpark, not the brand name) with kraut and onions and mustard and ketchup that falls all over my shirt at the first bite (because between the beer and the dog, I didn't have hands for napkins). Ice cream cones that melt before you leave the stand. And seconding or thirding the love for juicy, juicy peaches.
This totally reminds me of the Adventures of Pete and Pete! There was one epiosde where an underwear inspector claims to be perfect- perfectly neat, composed, etc. Younger Pete challenges him to eat BBQ chicken, and this transpires:
Little Pete: Moisty nap? Inspector 34: [perfectly clean reaches for it, but stops] Not necessary. Big Pete: [VO] Then suddenly, it hit us like a truckload of underpants. Ellen: Moisty naps? Nona: You're supposed to use your hands. Dad: It just tastes better that way. Little Pete: Barbecues are supposed to be messy. Eating perfectly is imperfect. You fail!
It definitely makes sense. Sadly, I think I've only ever steamed eaten clams at the home of family or friends. I just assumed the sandy grit was part of the charm, like the rinds on cheese.
I've been picking crabs since I was five. I can pick for hours; it really is a rhythm. We have a crabfeast every year in September to celebrate our anniversary. One year, a newbie showed up in a beautifully embroidered white blouse. I took one look at her, laughed, and gave her one of my crabby T-shirts. The mess is half the fun.
Don't worry, it's just sand. I mean, you're already eating something that looks like a giant booger, so I wouldn't worry about feeling gross just because you could have had it with slightly less sand. Washing is more part of the ritual than anything else.
I love the sweet taste of crabmeat, but can't stand Old Bay - to my tastebuds (to each her own), it completely overwhelms the crab. So I go for crabcakes and softshells. But for me, for lobster, the tearing apart is totally worth it.
Crabs are the best. Sure, it's messy and there's work involved, but when you hit that seem of sweet backfin, it all is suddenly worth it!
ReplyDeleteRibs are the only one of those that I'll occasionally find worth the effort. I don't even like bone-in chicken or cutting up my own lettuce leaves. If it weren't for the blueberry-pie defect, I'd just eat those Wonka pills.
ReplyDeleteA thick, juicy hamburger. Fresh corn on the cobb. Peaches so juicy you are forced to wash your arms. Sign me up, please.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. And I find that once I get into a rhythm, by the third crab, it all just feels very natural and efficient. And so worth it. This is one of those things on which Jen and I have long disagreed.
ReplyDeleteWell, I mean, I'm all for something I can shovel on in without thinking about it. But I'm also from Maine. It's fun sometimes to tear apart a softshell lobster with my bare hands. But steamed clams are my fave--pull open, pull out, peel off that weird black thing, wash, butter, eat. Tastes as good as it looks gross.
ReplyDeleteI love still warm from the sun tomatoes with some olive oil and salt and oregano and maybe some cucumbers green peppers and red onion.
ReplyDeleteI also love all fresh sweet corn. All of it. On the cob.
Uh oh. I never realized there was a wash step (but of course there's a wash step), and now my lifetime of fresh shellfish eating is flashing across my eyes and I'm feeling really gross.
ReplyDeleteJust for steamed clams, to get the sand off. That's why they bring the water cup and the melted butter cup.
ReplyDeleteBallpark hotdogs (that is, hotdogs eaten at the ballpark, not the brand name) with kraut and onions and mustard and ketchup that falls all over my shirt at the first bite (because between the beer and the dog, I didn't have hands for napkins). Ice cream cones that melt before you leave the stand. And seconding or thirding the love for juicy, juicy peaches.
ReplyDeleteThis totally reminds me of the Adventures of Pete and Pete! There was one epiosde where an underwear inspector claims to be perfect- perfectly neat, composed, etc. Younger Pete challenges him to eat BBQ chicken, and this transpires:
ReplyDeleteLittle Pete: Moisty nap?
Inspector 34: [perfectly clean reaches for it, but stops] Not necessary.
Big Pete: [VO] Then suddenly, it hit us like a truckload of underpants.
Ellen: Moisty naps?
Nona: You're supposed to use your hands.
Dad: It just tastes better that way.
Little Pete: Barbecues are supposed to be messy. Eating perfectly is imperfect. You fail!
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=WLkqxk45fGg&feature=related
Juicy, messy watermelon is amazing, especially in the summer. Possibly after it's been rum-a-fied.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely makes sense. Sadly, I think I've only ever steamed eaten clams at the home of family or friends. I just assumed the sandy grit was part of the charm, like the rinds on cheese.
ReplyDeleteWorth it. And don't forget the Old Bay seasoned fries. You will reek after that meal, but its definitely worth it.
ReplyDeleteI've been picking crabs since I was five. I can pick for hours; it really is a rhythm. We have a crabfeast every year in September to celebrate our anniversary. One year, a newbie showed up in a beautifully embroidered white blouse. I took one look at her, laughed, and gave her one of my crabby T-shirts. The mess is half the fun.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, it's just sand. I mean, you're already eating something that looks like a giant booger, so I wouldn't worry about feeling gross just because you could have had it with slightly less sand. Washing is more part of the ritual than anything else.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat relatedly, I received this in my email this morning:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gocomics.com/features/32/feature_items/536943
I love the sweet taste of crabmeat, but can't stand Old Bay - to my tastebuds (to each her own), it completely overwhelms the crab. So I go for crabcakes and softshells. But for me, for lobster, the tearing apart is totally worth it.
ReplyDelete