How to Go Crabbing & Crab Alfredo Recipe

Do you know the best part of summer when you live on the water? Well, besides the beach. For me it’s the fresh seafood. I have such wonderful memories of going crabbing with my family in the summer. It’s so easy and a great bonding experience. I think crabbing is more rewarding than fishing, but then again I don’t care for fish. If you live near the water (salt water) and want to take your family on an outing that will  yield memories and dinner, then let me tell you how. Sure, you can get crab traps, but that just takes the fun out of it – we’re doing this the old fashion way.

What You Need to Go Crabbing

• 1 whole chicken, cut up and almost rotten (trust me – it sounds gross but works wonders)
• Roll of heavy duty twine
• 5 – 10 sinkers, or more (check the fishing aisle of your sporting goods store)
• Sunscreen (don’t skimp)
• Fishing License (check with your local city hall to find out if you need one)
• Crab Basket (we use bushel baskets)
• Fishing Net (smaller holes are best)

How to Go Crabbing

Now that you have all of your crabbing gear it’s time to hit the docks. Yes, I said docks. You’ll need the columns to tie your twine to. If you don’t have the columns you can always hold the line.

Start by tying a long piece of twine tightly around a chunk of chicken. Secure the sinker on the line and tie the other end to a column. You’ll want the line to be long enough to reach the water and sink about 1/2 foot down. Drop the line into the water.

Continue this for each person who is crabbing with you – each person should be in charge of a line.

Once you see the line start to get taut slowly pull it in. If you’re holding the line then you’ll want to pull in when you feel a tug (that isn’t the water current.) Slowly is the key here. Have someone with the net ready to catch the crab that is eating the chicken. Have the net placed beside the line almost touching the water. Lift the line up and over into the net so that the crab drops off into the net.

You only want to keep the adult crabs, so if it’s small toss it back (on the opposite side of the lines.)

Store your catches in the bushel basket and pour water on them often; make sure to keep the top on.

Crab Alfredo Recipe

Once you get your crabs home, steam them up and use the claw meat to make this delicious Crab Alfredo. It’s simple and oh so yummy – what better way to enjoy your haul than this.

Amber

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Ingredients

  

• 1 pound linguine
• 1 stick of unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese
• 1 pint of heavy cream you may substitute half & half for a lighter version
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoom garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Fresh cracked black pepper
• 2 cups claw meat

Instructions

 

• Bring water to a boil in a large pot; cook linguine according to package directions.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter on low heat. Add the cream cheese, stirring to incorporate it into the butter and to thicken.
• Add the garlic, stir well.
• Fold in the heavy cream and Parmesan until well mixed. Sprinkle pepper on top.
• Allow sauce to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Fold in the crab meat and toss the sauce with linguine.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Or if you prefer a more down home taste, sprinkle with a little Old Bay.

Check out more pasta recipes:

Greek Pasta Salad Recipes
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
Noodle Kugel Recipe