Crabs don’t have ears, so they haven’t heard the news: October 15-May 15 is Florida’s annual Crab Stone Season, where fans from all over flock to Florida to enjoy the stone crabs that arrive daily in Florida.
Stone crabs are not like any other. For starters, they’re huge! A stone crab can weigh 25 ounces or more—and normally their claws make up more than half their weight. It’s no wonder then why celebrities like Ann Margaret and Quincy Jones and political figures like President Barack Obama are frequent visitors to Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant in Miami Beach. There’s plenty of stone crab to go around when you’re out to dinner with your family, friends, and bodyguards!
Miami is not the only place to experience your share of the fun. For a more low-key, rustic atmosphere, visit Florida’s Paradise Coast region. Located in the southwestern part of the state and extending to the Gulf of Mexico, Paradise Coast consists of three vacation hot-spots: Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades City.
Everglades City, a fairly small town, is known as the “Stone Crab Capital of the World.” Located at the mouth of the Barron River, on the Chokoloskee Bay, the waterfront seafood market district serves crabs cold with a tangy mustard dipping sauce.
Another popular destination is the Old Naples Water Spot on the Gordon River and Naples Bay. The fishermen of The Combs Fish Company for the past 90 years, have been delivering their daily catches next door to Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room and in the snap of a finger (or a claw) the crabs are processed and served fresh to customers.
This year the Old Naples Waterfront celebrates once again the second opening of the annual Stone Crab Festival, from October 29th-30th. It will be complete with music, children’s activities, a block party and numerous specials (of course) in the restaurants lining the dock of Naples Bay. Each restaurant has their own unique way of seasoning and serving the traditional crab dishes, which they will showcase during the festival.
When you visit, here’s a little bit of Paradise’s Recipe to take home, courtesy of Pincher’s Crab Shack:
Pinchers Stone Crab Sauce Recipe
16 oz container of sour cream ¾ cup mayo 1 oz Dijon mustard ½ oz prepared mustard Dash of A1 Steak sauce 1 teaspoon heavy cream Dash of Pepper Dash of Paprika Dash of Old Bay seasoning
Mix well together in bowl and let chill for at least an hour. Sauce is good for three days when stored in the refrigerator.
800-688-3500 www.paradisecoast.com