This fellow, since the male's belly looks thinner like a lighthouse, whereas the female's belly looks like a beehive, measured across the back 180 mm . It must be 115 mm to be legal
I boiled up my biggest pot half full of water with a couple of tsp of salt. Gettting the crab off the net is a challenge since I've known the power of the claws and don't wish to experience that pain again. This time I was able to shake him out on the deck and pick him up with a couple of serving spoons. He died on contact with the boiling water. No scream. I think it's the lobster that screams. This guy just boiled turning brighter red while I heated up butter in a pan adding some lemon.
10 to 15 minutes cooking for large crabs. 8-10 minutes for smaller. I chose 10 minutes for this guy. I took the crab out and put him on a plate before I settled in with a pair of industrial pliars. I looked but couldn't find my crab picks and crackers. I couldn't find nut crackers either. After I washed the pliars off they worked just fine.
Gilbert found the whole process very entertaining but wasn't getting any. The hazards of being a dog. He did get to lick up the butter dish and frying pan I'd used for the butter.
Meanwhile I was immediately into the big claws, cracking and digging out meat. I shared the first with Laura who is relatively squeamish about fresh killed things. She loved the taste but said she'd settle for an avocado sandwich while I settled into cracking crab and digging out meat. It was delicious. De-licious! After I was done and the plate was a pile of shell and guts I remembered to say grace. I thanked the crab for it's sacrifice and felt renewed in the direct experience of life.
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