The Almost Perfect, Guilt-Free, Shrimp to Eat

[tpc]

Pandalus platyceros
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandalus_platyceros

Spot Prawns range all along the Pacific coast, but mostly in the north Pacific.

"But one shrimp has it all: the spot prawn caught off the coast of British Columbia. The species is big, luscious, and caught in a completely sustainable manner. Its only drawback is that Canadians have recently awakened to these virtues, and devour most of the catch before it can be exported...Instead of dragging nets, spot-prawn fishermen use round, washtub-sized traps that operate on the same principle as lobster pots—prawns are lured in by containers of fishmeal and are unable to get out."

http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2011/02/finally-a-big-wild-shrimp-to-eat-without-guilt/70894/

I remembered these live shrimp being offered for sale at New Sang Chong Market in Oakland Chinatown, so I went this morning and took some pictures:

http://tpc247.blogspot.com/2011/02/al...

[majordanby]

monterey market have them live for sale today. the guy at the register was telling a customer the best way to cook em was to saute in butter, garlic and cilantro...served with some hot sauce.

[wally]

Monterey Fish Market.

[shanghaikid]

Lucky Seafood (378-8th st) and Hung Wan Market (333-8th St) also carry them but haven't had any this year since there hasn't been any "sale" on them. no specials.

[ML8000]

I've also seen them at Lucky and Hung Wan as well but not in a long time.

There's a California and Monterey variety of the same family, but probably much stronger species in the Northwest like crab, colder water. In Monterey I've gotten them a few times at local markets and I had them at R&G Lounge this past summer (excellent). I don't know where the Lucky or Hung Wan come from but probably local?

[shanghaikid]

heartell lucky and/or hung wan's spot shrimp comes from the vancouver, b.c. area.