For some Florida Keys residents and guests, Oct. 15 rivals their birthday as their favourite day of the 12 months. Why? As a result of that date marks the opening of the annual stone crab season — with “presents” that aren’t wrapped in colourful paper and bows, however as an alternative are piled excessive on plates with dollops of tangy mustard sauce.
A seafood processor at Keys Fisheries in Marathon, Fla., shovels stone crab claws right into a container. (Photograph by Bob Care, Florida Keys Information Bureau)
The orange-red, pale yellow and black stone crab claws include a candy and tender meat that’s among the many Keys’ hottest delicacies. Through the harvest season, which continues till Might 1, they’re served at gourmand and informal eating places from Key Largo to Key West, triggering a digital stampede of seafood followers.
Sometimes the claws are satisfyingly giant, nearer in measurement to an enormous Maine lobster’s claws than a blue crab’s claws. Their business harvest dates again to the Nineteen Thirties in Keys inshore waters, and the laborious ocean ground and favorable atmosphere help wholesome native crab populations.
Space “foodies” generally have interaction in a lighthearted dispute over whether or not the mouthwatering claws are finest eaten sizzling or chilly. Both method, they’re typically cooked instantly after being delivered to the dock, normally by inserting them in boiling water for seven to eight minutes. Operating chilly water over the cooked claws retains the meat from sticking to the shell.
When it’s time to chow down, although, carry on the dipping sauce. To make the standard dip for stone crab claws, combine a favourite mustard with mayonnaise or bitter cream, plus extras like Worcestershire or A-1 sauce, and salt and pepper to style.

Sally Mishmash (left) and Sandra Bradshaw feed one another stone crab claws throughout a previous Stone Crab Consuming Contest at Marathon’s Keys Fisheries. (Photograph by Andy Newman, Florida Keys Information Bureau)
The Keys are Florida’s high provider of the prized claws — that are thought-about a uniquely sustainable and renewable useful resource due to the crabs’ capability to regrow harvested claws. Annually, tons of of 1000’s of kilos of stone crab claws are served at native markets and eating places or distributed across the nation.
One of the vital in style spots within the island chain to savor stone crab is Marathon’s Keys Fisheries. The super-casual eatery lies in an industrial area off the Florida Keys Abroad Freeway, proper on the waterfront and surrounded by business docks.
A favourite gathering place for locals, the institution has a cool environment that completely exemplifies the Keys’ laid-back model. And its stone crab claws have a fresh-off-the-boat taste that simply can’t be topped.
In actual fact, annually Keys Fisheries is the positioning of an undisputed food-centric spotlight — the Stone Crab Consuming Contest. The quirky competitors, this 12 months set for Saturday, Nov. 2, attracts enthusiastic novice eaters and their followers. The problem begins at midday, and contestants are given a frightening activity: crack, clear and eat all of the meat from 25 stone crab claws within the quickest time.

Stone crab claws with mustard sauce are a favourite at Keys eating places and annual meals festivals.
Though all entrants are supplied with industrial-strength shell crackers, some select to make use of an efficient methodology that’s in style amongst Keys locals — smacking the rounded space of the claw’s shell with the again of a big serving spoon or a easy butter knife.
If a tie happens, the tied contestants should face off in a further 10-claw competitors to find out the winner.
Prizes akin to in a single day stays and passes to Keys points of interest and eateries await the highest three finishers and high groups. And proceeds from the occasion profit a Marathon-based charity.
So how do you enter? crab shoppers (who should be no less than 18 years previous) are inspired to register early to safe a spot on the contestants’ desk. The person entry price is $50 and two-person groups can register for $100.
Whether or not you select to compete within the contest or take pleasure in sustainable stone crab at a extra leisurely tempo, one factor is for certain: the succulent crustacean claws are a singular sensation — and a can’t-miss eating expertise for guests to the Florida Keys.