Maine shrimp season has started!

[silver queen]

The season is Dec 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007 this year. Please ask you favorite fishmonger to get them! I did get them last year at Whole foods and Shaws, but they're not always available.

These are a local product that we're in danger of losing if we don't support!

See:
http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=130161&zoneid=5

and

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?s...

They're so sweet and good- even raw. But I really love them lightly cooked (add to boiling spiced water, bring to another boil and turn off heat for a minute or two)- then peel and dip in melted butter- heaven..

They're small, but easy to peel- just rip the heads off and squeeze the tail- they pop right out!

So support your local shrimper!

[yakitori51]

They're on special at Roche Brothers this week. $4.99 Lb. if I remember correctly. Also, I was looking for info today and found a great post on Stephencooks.com
http://www.stephencooks.com/2006/02/s...

[elbev]

Picked up some delicious, and surprisingly large, Maine shrimp at Market Basket the other day. $5.99/lb, heads off, shells on. Day one I cooked them for about a minute on high in some sesame oil infused with ginger and thai chilis. Small squeeze of lime, delicious. Day two I shucked (?) about 20 of the the scrumps - which did not result in their destruction and only took a couple of minutes - and breaded and fried them for a tasty po-boy. They only need to cook for a couple of minutes, and I found them quite sweet and tasty through and through. Planning to try to scampify the remaining shrimp when I cook a special dinner on Wednesday.

[Spike]

Anyone try these as shrimp scampi in pasta?
They are extremely delicate (was hard not to destroy them while de-shelling), but I expected a sweeter taste. I tried cooking a few with a little garlic/butter, but I expected more of a sweet shrimp taste, but they were a bit bland.
p.s., lots at the Whole Foods in Brighton.

[uman]

Well, I bought a pound of these beauties last night at WFM on River Street. They are indeed sweet with a very delicate texture.
I cooked them shell on using a Jacques Pepin recipe. The garlic breath I have is worth every bite.

[JMT123]

Last season, Whole Foods Market at Fresh Pond regularly stocked these delicious shrimp. They are wonderful -- sweet, fresh, and tiny. The little shells are great for a quick cooking stock.

[phoebek]

Just bought some this afternoon at Whole Foods Fresh Pond - 5.99/lb.

[Atlantis]

Ours is here in Alexandria, Virginia, and it's a flagship store, which means it's so damn gloriously run and stocked and everything, it just about makes me cry tears of joy. I've never been impressed by HT before, but this one, five minutes from our home, is just incredible. I do hope, if you're in Massachusetts, that HT moves north, for your sake. It's just a great, great place.

And tomorrow, I'll be there, stocking up on shrimp, among other things like artisanal breads, an amazing imported cheese selection, and, best of all, those fabulous pickles known as Wickles, that I think might be one of the South's greatest culinary contributions of centuries past.

Their organics are spectacular, and priced lower than Whole Foods.

Pray for a Harris Teeter, but, in the meantime, enjoy your shrimp.

[bengoshi]

Are these red shrimp, like Stonington dep water shrimp? What do they look like, taste like?

[hotoynoodle]

this is the only time of year we can get shrimp that hasn't been frozen. they're addictive. i like them with a squeeze of lime and some chili oil, either raw, or flash-cooked.

[Atlantis]

My Harris Teeter has them - 13-17 count - $5.99/lb.

You can't beat that. I'll be there tomorrow. Thanks for the heads-up!

[katzzz]

Harris-Teeter? Where the heck is there a Harris-Teeter in Massachusetts?

[hotoynoodle]

if they're that big, they're something else. maine shrimp are about 30, possibly as many as 70, per pound. they're really tiny.

they don't travel well at all. i've eaten them raw in very reputable nyc sushi restaurants and been disappointed. lucky for me, i'm in boston and can get them same day! woo-hoo.

[Rubee]

Yah, I noticed that - 13-17 count? Must be giant mutant Maine shrimp. :)

The first time I had fresh Maine shrimp was a couple of years ago as ame ebi at Uni. I've been hooked every since.

[sophie fox]

Actually, they ARE "giant mutant Maine shrimp" - ten or more years ago, they were really tiny, but for some reason, they are getting larger, but still as sweet and delicious.

They had 'em fried whole with salt, pepper and jalapenos at Chau Chow City for dim sum last week - tricky to eat but full of roe and yummy!

[Raedia]

Wow, I had no idea that Maine shrimp even existed! Thanks for the links... those little critters look fantastic. I called my local Whole Foods (Woburn) today, and they said they don't know if or when they'll be getting them, but I put in an enthusiastic request. Fingers crossed!

[Velda Mae]

The Whole Foods on Washington Street in Newton has them for $5.99 a pound.

[silver queen]

Is that for whole, heads off, or shelled?

[uman]

I just called WFM on River street. $5.99 for heads off raw shrimp. I'll be getting some this week.

[steinpilz]

Whole Foods on Beacon in Newton has them, and me too now.

[silver queen]

Thank you, I bought a pound at WF on Washington St. last night! Heads off, but still delish.

[BostonZest]

Thank you! Thank you! to our silver queen! Those of us who would have found them in a week or so will have a fuller season.

I'll report in when I get to Whole Foods this week.

[gini]

Thanks for the post. Do you know of anywhere right now in Boston that is carrying them?

[pdude]

I bought some last night at the shaws in Salem, Ma. I would assume that shaws all around the region would be carrying them.

[ScubaSteve]

pdude,
were they head-on? i have been calling around and can only find them head-less. although the lobster tail in no. andover and the WFM in woburn are going to call me if they can get them intact.

[pdude]

Nope :( Headless. Still darn good though.

[Dr.Jimbob]

I got my Maine shrimp last season from Wulf's Fish Market near Coolidge Corner in Brookline. Their Maine shrimp were loaded with really tasty roe. Heads were on, and they made for some of the finest gambas al ajillo I've ever made.

<http://www.goodcooking.com/wulfs.htm>