Fried shrimp heads?

[jeanhall]

We are making gumbo and I have beautiful head on shrimp! Thinking about pulling them off before adding the shrimp to the gumbo -- can I fry them in some way? Cornmeal? Flour? Anyone ever done that, maybe to serve as a little extra crunch?

Thanks!!

[Bada Bing]

I dredge whole head-on shrimp in seasoned flour with some cornstarch added and then deep fry them, although I can no longer recall the rationale for the cornstarch. As Veggo notes, the head portions end up like potato chips in texture but with a special flavor that's really intense.

[Veggo]

Deep fry the heads, as is the custom with amaebi sushi (sweet shrimp). They crunch like potato chips from the sea, and are delicious. Eat them hot, but not scalding!