Lobster & Oyster

My seafood craving is back again! I noticed a good deal for live lobster ($5.99/lb) and decided to get one yesterday. It even beats the lowest price I've ever observed over the summer months.

"Small, medium, large? Male or female?" Choosing a live lobster requires some knowledge, depending on what you're looking for.

Lobstermen agree that the female is a better choice. Female lobsters may have roes, or unfertilized eggs which are tasty and considered as delicacy. Also, female lobsters have more tail breadth which means more meat. They need the extra size for carrying the eggs. How to tell a male from female lobster? Aside from the added breadth, females' swimmerets (the appendages under the tale) are light and feathery unlike the males' which are bony and hard. Another issue still in debate is the choice between getting soft shelled or hard shelled crustacean kings. This is usually settled by preference. Lobsters with soft-shells have just undergone moulting, which means that their shells are easily breakable. This translates to easier cooking and eating. Their flesh are also deemed to be sweeter-tasting. However, these soft and sweet lobsters are not without disadvantage. They are not good for traveling because of the delicate condition of their shells. Hard shells are then preferred when a lobster is expected to travel long distances especially in delivery. Hard shell lobsters are also bigger and meatier.

~ Lobster Tales in Choosing the Best

I chose a medium-sized female lobster with soft shells. Apparently, a female lobster can mate only just after she sheds her shell. In other words, chances of savouring the lobster coral are higher ;) Lobster coral, also known as lobster roe, turns into a lovely coral colour when cooked. These are unfertilized eggs which have not been extruded.

The tail should be straight and curl under once it is picked up. If you uncurl the tail, it should spring back to a curled position if it is healthy.

~ Guide to Lobster

How to cook a lobster? I opted for the boiling method, just because it's easier. Here are some lobster cooking recipes.

This female lobster weighs 1.63 lbs (740 g). "Don't kill me!"

Cooked lobster to be served with melted butter & minced garlic. Poor lobster...

Besides lobster, I got some fresh oysters ($6.95/dozen). My first fresh oyster cooking experience!

Steamed fresh oysters tasted very different from the dried oysters I've had. They're tastier, of course!