Crabs
Saturday, July 30, 2005 at 10:16AM So, reading over my last few entrees, it occurs to me that it may
appear to the reader that my experience here has been little more than
a string of calamites. Though not too far from the truth, in my defence
I would like to say that my mistakes are simply much more fun to write
about and, I assume for you to read about. However, I will refrain from
truly setting the record straight with a story of grand triumph and
success just yet. And yes it's because I can't think of any grand
triumphs. But instead, I'll continue with my previous theme. Ineptitude.
Occasionally, I have been able to get crabs in my village. Mangrove
crabs. The greatest crabs in all the world. I feel a bit of guilt in
proclaiming this, coming from the great crab state as I do. But truth
and justice requires me to assert that Malagasy Mangrove crabs
are the most spectacular crabs ever to scamper the ocean. They are
gigantic, the large ones can grow to the size of the steering wheel in
a 1991 toyata corolla (that is to say large for a crab, but small for a
steering wheel). They are full of delicious meat so that just 2 or 3
can fill even a large apatite. In case you are still not in awe of
these crabs, I shall note that even the legs (not the claws, the legs)
can be cracked open in two places to find a mouthful of meat.
Ok, so the crabs are big. BUT, they are also dirty. And, as they should
be since they live in the mud under mangrove trees (mangroves are
aquatic trees, BTW). So before one can cook them, one must clean them.
This is no easy task. First they are really filthy, second they are
dangerous. While the claws on them are probably not strong enough to
take off a finger, I imagine that getting clawed would be a bit like
getting your finger caught in the door jam of an automobile. So, first
thing one must do is pull off the big claw (they each have just one
huge
claw and one minor one). This can be done with a little leverage
combined with some courage. After this, a scrub brush can be safely
used to remove the mud. Additionally, a little detergent can be used to
really cut through the dirt and give the crabs a nice orange luster.
Once clean, one needs only steam the crabs, add some old bay, and
enjoy. Unless of course, one is dumb enough to have used detergent to
clean the crabs. As most of you probably know, when water with
even a little detergent is boiled, it produces bubbles. Lots of
bubbles. So it was a truly bad idea to run to my outhouse just after
the water started to boil. I returned to my hut to find more bubbles on
my cooking table and covering the floor than Bert and Ernie could have
ever wished for. Fortunately, Monesa, my neighbor/best friend/clothes
washer, arrived just in time to laugh hysterically, call over more
neighbors, and help me clean up.
Reader Comments (1)
Great to read your amusing stories. I agree, entries about hard work in the hot sun cannot be as enjoyable as reading about the trials and tribulations of living in a remote village in Africa. Are you receiving our packages? More on the way!
Lots of love to you,
JoLynn and Ben