It's tradition for Humboldt County folks to celebrate the Christmas holiday not only with Ham, but Crab too.  Same goes for New Years.  So this year Dave and I rung in the New Year with fresh, succulent dungenous crab that we bought right off the crab boats docked here in Humboldt Bay.

What a way to ring in the new year!

One of my favorite things I love about living in Humboldt County CA is the fresh seafood we get to eat throughout the year.  At this point I just break it down into seasons.

There's the Salmon season (summertime), the Tuna season (late summer), Oyster season (year round) and my favorite season of all Dungenous Crab season (Winter).  Whether you are a DIYer - fishing for tuna or salmon, throwing out your own crab pots, or even digging for clams (Yes, we have clams in our bay too!) or you're just a patron there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy these great foods throughout the year.

I remember my father-in-law realizing what an incredible seafood gold mine we have.  Not only is our seafood readily accessible, but it's soooo affordable.

So we're currently in the middle of the Dungenous crab season right now.  And I'm taking advantage of it as often as I can.

There are plenty of places to get crab right now, cooked or live.  Most of our local stores sell crab already cooked, but there are several crab fisherman who sell their crab, live and fiesty, right off their boat.  Just visit them on Woodley Island (across the Samoa bridge from Eureka CA) or try the Marina near the Wharfinger building near Old Town Eureka.

Personally I prefer live crab, because they are the fresher option.  We usually buy our crab from Carol Pinto of the Jenna Lee (Crab boat) off the docks on Woodley Island.  They're usually open till around 5:30pm, which makes it easy to pick up right after work.  And they only cost...are you ready for this?  $4.50 a lb!  So you can get two succulent crabs for under $20 bucks.  That's a great deal.  Usually you'll spend more than that for 1 crab dinner at a restaurant. 

If you like what you see in these photos here's the recipe below:

BBQ Dungenous Crab Recipe

1. Kill Live Crab first - Use a Knife and a Mallet and cut right through the middle of the crab.

2. Then pull the carapace (top shell) and clean rest of crab - you just want the meat and legs.

3. Take a huge piece of aluminum foil, place your crab on the foil.

4. Season - with butter, chopped garlic and fresh basil (add some white wine if you like).

5. Wrap the crab up in the foal - fold one side of the crab and then the other and then roll of the other sides - you want a packet that will steam the crab and something you can flip over too.

6. Place on grill for 10 minutes and then flip the crab over onto the other side for another 10 minutes - Viola you're done.  Crack that Champagne open and enjoy!

So if you're visiting Humboldt County or just moved here, come visit the crab boats and get your live crab today!

Copyright 2008 Jessica Bigger.  All Rights Reserved. *Ringing in the New Year Humboldt County CA Style - Dungenous Crab and Champagne!*

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