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Crab
(Cancer pagurus)
To understand what a crab is, you have to know that it belongs to the crustaceans and the order of decapods.
Characteristics of the Sea Ox
The crab is a type of crab often used in Spanish cuisine, specifically in Galicia, although its use has spread throughout Spain over time.
The most characteristic feature of the Crab is the flavor and texture of its meat, which is exquisitely juicy.
Its size usually goes from 10 to 25 centimeters, They are usually found around 15 centimeters long. This size makes them slower than other crabs, and they also move sideways.
Its weight is usually around 600g and 1,2kg, although most of this weight belongs to the shell and other parts that are not edible.
The brown crab has 10 pairs of legs, the first two of which are large claws, and the last pair are smaller than the others. Its shell is oval and smooth.
It is worth noting that it is barely 10 cm long, while it is approximately 15 cm wide.
The color of the crab is a mixture of red and brown on the shell, and a whiter tone on the underside.
These crustaceans feed mainly on other crustaceans, mollusks and echinoderms, which they hunt at night, and are able to move away to capture their prey up to 40 m away.
The brown crab is carnivorous and cannibalistic; males are very aggressive towards each other, especially during the molting season.
One of the most striking characteristics of the crab is that has the ability to regenerate its limbs after being torn off. And if the limb hasn't been completely broken, the grebe will tear it off itself so it can regenerate.
PREMIUM QUALITY
Broadly speaking, two types can be distinguished: national or French crab and Galician crab.
Initially, they can be distinguished by the naked eye due to their color; the Galician crab is a dark reddish hue, almost brown.
Another major difference between these varieties is that the Spanish crab has less hairy paws than the Galician crab. The claws on the last pair of legs are also different; the claw on the Galician crab is much sharper.
Nutritional values
Crab is an exquisite seafood in terms of flavor and texture, and also has very good nutritional values.
| Nutrients | Quantity |
| Calories | 86 Kcal |
| Proteins | 18 gr |
| Total Fats | 1 gr |
| Saturated fats | 0.10 gr |
| Monounsaturated Fats | 0.20 gr |
| Polyunsaturated fats | 0.30 gr |
| Cholesterol | 59 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0,7 gr |
| Dietary fiber | 0 gr |
| Sugars | 0 gr |
| Football | 46 mg |
| Iron | 0.4 mg |
| Potassium | 354 mg |
| Sodium | 295 mg |
| Vitamin C: | 0 |
| Vitamin A | 25 g |
| Thiamine | 0.47 g |
| Riboflavin | 0.167 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.350 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg |
**It is important to keep in mind that these values may vary slightly depending on the quality and freshness of the Crab
Its composition is practically proteins, vitamins and mineralsIt doesn't have a single gram of carbohydrates, and only a single gram of fatty acids.
It is a very nutritionally complete food, being healthy and tasty.
Habitat
The Sea Ox is found in the north of the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, in the Cantabrian Sea and can be found to a lesser extent in the Mediterranean Sea.
They are mainly fished off the coasts of United Kingdom, France and Galicia. In this area it is known as the European Crab.
A sea ox lives at depths of 1 to 30 meters, although there are specific cases where they have been found at more than 50 meters.
They are mainly found buried or hidden among rocks, so that predators cannot find them.
Season and Fishing Gear
Crab Fishing Season
The crab fishing season is very long., from November to June.
That is to say, this crustacean can be fished all year round except during the summer months.
This is a great advantage since it is often offered during December holidays and since it is the recent fishing season, they are available fresh.
Fishing Art
The crab is caught with hemispherical traps, which are lowered to a depth of 20 meters and are collected with each tide.
A trap is a passive fishing net used with bait; to catch a crab, a mollusk could be used.
Its operation consists of making the crustaceans travel through the entire network, reaching a tank from which they cannot escape.
Occasionally, other fishing traps may be used.
Due to a series of laws in some specific countries, it is prohibited to fish for crabs that measure less than 10 centimeters.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sea Oxen
Crab can be used in a variety of recipes; it's typically eaten stuffed, accompanied by a sauce, or in rice dishes.
To prepare a crab , you just have to boil it in a pot with plenty of water for approximately 20 minutes.
It is then opened and prepared according to the recipe.
The cooking of the crab depends on its size.
600 to 800 grams of product must be cooked for 17 minutes
For a crab that weighs For more than 800 g, cooking time between 18 and 20 minutes is recommended.
The spider crab and the crab belong to the same family and are very similar, mainly differing in:
- Size: A crab is larger in size and weight than a spider crab, which means it has more meat inside.
- Shell: The spider crab's shell is very distinctive because it is oval and covered in spines, while the crab has a more oval and smooth shell.
- Color: The crab has darker shades, such as very dark red or brown, while the spider crab predominates in a deeper, lighter red.
- Flavor and texture: Spider crab meat is more tender and juicy than crab meat, which is more fibrous. Furthermore, spider crab's flavor is milder, while crab's has a more intense flavor.
- Price: The price difference between spider crab and crab varies depending on the season, but spider crab is generally more expensive than crab due to its larger size and the fishing season.
- Seasons: Since spider crabs reproduce in winter and crabs in spring and summer, the availability of the product varies each season, and consequently so does its price.
El frozen cooked crab should defrost beforehand the night before, or at least for 12 hours in the lower part of our refrigerator.
It is advisable to rinse and drain.
Since it's already cooked, you'd simply have to open it and prepare it according to the crab recipe you need.
You can tell whether a sea ox is male or female by its morphology or specific characteristics.
In the sea oxen, The abdomen of females is wider and rounder, which has a more triangular shape.
They also differ in the size of their claws, which are larger in male crabs. In general, the male crab is larger.
In terms of taste and texture, you can't tell the difference between male and female; both are exquisite.
