Steamed Coconut Crab
Dinner @ 'Mingles So Thai' along Downtown Koror.
Coconut Crabs or Robber Crabs are protected in many countries. I first encountered them on Christmas Island years ago but they were protected.
Here in Palau, the government rationed the consumption. They are protected and off-limits during the breeding months but there are periods in the year where consumption is allowed.....and thus giving me the first chance to actually taste one.
They do not come cheap. The restaurant purchases their coconut crabs from a farm which breeds these huge crabs (with legs and claws strong enough to climb coconut trees and pry open coconuts). My order of the smallest one they had still set me back by US$88.
I had it all to myself. My mate is not into seafood. The restaurant advised me that the best part is right at the end, where inside an encasement or a pouch like segment, I will find the rich and creamy roe that seafood connoisseurs dream of.
Taste wise, they do taste like well....crab. They are a little creamier than the usual kind but really not much more so to be astounding. I have read somewhere that they taste nuttier because of their unique diet....but when did coconut taste nutty? I found no such "nuttier" taste; perhaps just "nuttier" comments.
The roe was indeed a heavenly delight. Very rich; almost as a creamy as coconut milk. Went really well with the bowl of steamed rice.
I picked the crab clean. It was tasty beyond any doubt and I am sure my cholesterol for the night shot through the roof but heck for the price-tag of US$88 spent, I will chew through the tough shells if I could.
Steamed Coconut Crab
Dinner @ 'Mingles So Thai' along Downtown Koror.
Coconut Crabs or Robber Crabs are protected in many countries. I first encountered them on Christmas Island years ago but they were protected.
Here in Palau, the government rationed the consumption. They are protected and off-limits during the breeding months but there are periods in the year where consumption is allowed.....and thus giving me the first chance to actually taste one.
They do not come cheap. The restaurant purchases their coconut crabs from a farm which breeds these huge crabs (with legs and claws strong enough to climb coconut trees and pry open coconuts). My order of the smallest one they had still set me back by US$88.
I had it all to myself. My mate is not into seafood. The restaurant advised me that the best part is right at the end, where inside an encasement or a pouch like segment, I will find the rich and creamy roe that seafood connoisseurs dream of.
Taste wise, they do taste like well....crab. They are a little creamier than the usual kind but really not much more so to be astounding. I have read somewhere that they taste nuttier because of their unique diet....but when did coconut taste nutty? I found no such "nuttier" taste; perhaps just "nuttier" comments.
The roe was indeed a heavenly delight. Very rich; almost as a creamy as coconut milk. Went really well with the bowl of steamed rice.
I picked the crab clean. It was tasty beyond any doubt and I am sure my cholesterol for the night shot through the roof but heck for the price-tag of US$88 spent, I will chew through the tough shells if I could.