PSA Domoic Acid warning

Not familiar with how to eviscerate crabs before boiling, but I do know that domoic acid is nasty nasty stuff. Used to work with it back in my research days...

https://m.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/Warning-Accompanies-Opening-Of-Recreational-Crab-14804221.php

Thanks for passing that along.  I have cracked them with a hammer, split them in half, then cleaned out the viscera.  Boiling after that is a snap.  I just wonder, does anyone else have clever or efficient ways to prepare crabs with domoic acid concerns?

Here's another link from the CADFW:
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/health-advisories

Thanks for the info. I plan on crabbing in Tomales Bay next weekend, I'll be sure to let the family know as well.

That is if I am able to even catch any crab out there. Since I have only watched my parents just drop crab into a pot of water and turn up the heat to cook. This will be a bad idea with the Domoic acid since it doesn't go away by boiling.  Will this way of cooking also contaminate the rest of the crab meat in the pot?

thanks,
Bert

Domoic acid is water soluble. If it’s in guts and you cook it, it potentially can be on the meat. Concentration is key - how much of it is there determines toxicity (the poison is in the dose!) but again it’s nasty stuff and I wouldn’t want to ingest any of it. But I’m sure the DFW would’ve shut crabbing down if it was anywhere near dangerous levels, right?

I boiled all mine whole and froze the rest of the ones that were left over. I feel like i should have taken them apart and cleaned first. Anyone else boil them whole?

I boiled all mine whole and froze the rest of the ones that were left over. I feel like i should have taken them apart and cleaned first. Anyone else boil them whole?

I used to, until I learned the split-and-clean method. Now I do it that way most of the time. Sometimes though I still boil the whole crab, if I just got home with it and want to eat it right away.

Learned from a friend that I'd been wrong my whole life about crab. I thought you HAD to cook them whole and alive or they released a toxin, and I thought they were best as soon as they chilled after cooking. Neither is true. The split-and-clean method works fine, and the meat actually improves in texture and flavor for a couple of days in the refrigerator after cooking.

I always call (831) 649-2883 before I go out. It will go over all the demoic acid closures due to demoic acid

A nice sharp hatchet or tomahawk to split it from the belly side. Quick and easy. A big cleaver works too but I prefer to use an axe 

I came across this the other day and it worked great. Just split the crab over the edge of the bucket and twist the legs off.

I boiled all mine whole and froze the rest of the ones that were left over. I feel like i should have taken them apart and cleaned first. Anyone else boil them whole?

I used to boil whole but now I clean and steam.

I find the meat taste cleaner and has more flavor. 

I came across this the other day and it worked great. Just split the crab over the edge of the bucket and twist the legs off.

that was pretty cool

I have always boiled my crab whole.  For those that clean prior to cooking, do you just boil the crab after you clean, or are you limited to steaming?

This is the method I’ve used when I want to clean a crab before cooking. It’s super quick and easy.

You can steam or boil crabs this way - just keep in mind it will cook a little quicker than a whole crab. Also, I’ve found that the crab meat will take on a bit more of whatever flavor you might add when it’s cleaned first. (Throw some Old Bay into your boiling water, or try steaming with some white wine and aromatic herbs).

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2qviod


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I clean my crab with the bucket method, it's kinda messy, but the quickness and getting all the undesirable parts into the trash asap is really nice.  plus, it quickens the cooking time / amount of crab I can fit in my smallish pot.

I do a lazy steam, I just put the big crab on the bottom of the pot with like 3/4" of water in it. and pack em in.  I've enjoyed doing it this way over boiling, less water to waste, more crabs cooked quicker.