Be a locavore crabmeister; Go left at the pumpkin patch.
September 16, 2010
Crabmeisters of Wainscott Beach: Frank and Greg.
Blue is my favorite color. Bluefin tuna, bluefish, blue claw crabs. Big brother Frank is a master at catching blue claws in a secret spot near Wainscott beach (he’s no slouch with a blueberry muffin pan either, but that’s another culinary story). I can’t tell you exactly where we get the blue claws, but if you make a left at the Wainscott pumpkin patch, follow that street until the end, and then hoof it east a quarter mile, you should be able to find it. If not, don’t despair: according to Harvey Bennett of The Tackle Shop, this has been a banner year for crabs. “They’re everywhere”.
In the absence of finny creatures to hook in the surf during his recent visit from the Left Coast, Frank led a pair of mid-afternoon crab-catching safaris, demonstrating his locavore prowess. The first foray with brother-in-law Avuncular Phil resulted in a crab-sauce pasta dinner. And with help from Denver friends Greg and Barbara a few days later, we scored enough to share our bounty with the local Chinese restaurant. In return, Chin’s of Amagansett cooked up our half in a finger-licking black bean sauce. Who’s ready for an alfresco Indian Summer lunch of succulent, spicy crabs washed down with cold HB Oktoberfest beer? Repeat after me: “Yum”!
Thanks to Chin's Chinese Restaurant, these became.......
.............these: blue claw crabs in black bean sauce.
Secret blue claw hunting grounds: Left at Wainscott's pumpkin patch.
Aha — who knew from Chin’s of Amagansett?? No more garlic peeling for me. Let Chin’s do it — I want some.
Makes my mouth water! Love them crabs!
Wait til youngest about the clams.
Don’t think that just anyone can sweet talk the staff at Chin’s. Remember that “everyone loves Frankie”. Mere mortals like you or me have to pay the freight.
Hi Fred: By way of introduction, happily I am MDC’s father-in-law. I have been following you for sometime now and I have really enjoyed your comments and observations. I have drowned a few worms myself. I will be in Montauk, tomorrow, Oct. 7, and would like to take you to lunch. Thank you, best wishes. Carl G.
Carl–As luck has it, I am in Montauk Oct.7 too. We should have lunch at Turtle Cove because it is teeming with fish. That’s where I’ll be and I’ll call you if there is a break in the action. If not, come find me. I’ll be on a rock whooping and hollering amidst the blitz!