Maryland Crab Season Opens to Dismal Forecast
April 1st, 2008 Categories: Alexandria, Dining Favorites
First the good news, Maryland crab season opened today. We are talking wonderful, justifiably famous Maryland blue crabs.
Second, the bad news. Last year’s catch was Maryland’s second lowest since 1945 and winter population surveys indicate that this year’s harvest may not be much better. That means small, thin mostly male crabs with little or no fat. Not a pretty picture.
Blue crab celebrations are a tradition in my family. In semi-retirement my parents lived at Scientist’s Cliffs in Calvert County, Maryland, right on the Chesapeake Bay. My mother was Icelandic but she loved the United States and was particularly entranced with its history. It didn’t hurt that her birthday was on the Fourth of July. And what did she want every Fourth? You got it, bushels and bushels of steamed blue crabs. Family and friends would fill the back deck, cracking crabs until there was nothing left to crack.
Last summer bushel baskets of crabs were going for $70. Guess I need to start saving my pennies.
Michael
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Those blue crabs look tasty, but expensive. Good luck on the blog, it looks great. I signed up for a subscription – great idea on the Starbucks teaser!! Looking fwd to your future posts.
John C