Fried Sand Fleas/Mole Crabs?

[Capt_John]

I was watching an episode of Bizarre Foods a few minutes ago and they were in thailand eating Mole Crabs a.k.a Sand Fleas. they sauteed some and fried some tepura style. i was shocked personally. Of the thousands of these I've caught for pompano and whiting bait for surf fishing, I never thought of eating them. I decided to do a little reserch of my own online and what I found was surprising. Apparently, they're becoming very popular here in the states as well. people describe them as if you're eating softshell crab poppers when fried up. They seem to make a great snack. from what I can tell, you just pull the legs off, batter them up, and fry. I'm gonna give it a shot this summer when they show up. Anyone else wanna give it a shot?

[Capt_John]

I found this recipe for Mole Crab chowder and the lady who submitted it is from Morehead City,NC. Hmmmmm....

MOLE CRAB CHOWDER

1 to 2 pounds of live mole crabs
2 cups of water
2 to 3 red onions, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablepsoon butter
½ teaspoon cilantro, minced
2 to 4 more cups of water
1 cup noodles, rice, or potatoes, not cooked
flour or toasted wheat flour

Steam the crabs in a covered pan with 2 cups of water until they are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the stove and, with the crabs still in the broth, mash thoroughly with a potato masher. Strain through cheesecloth, retaining the broth and discarding the crabs. Next, fry the onions to a golden color in the oil and butter, and mix with the broth in a saucepan. Add the cilantro and two cups of water. Heat the broth and add either the noodles, rice, or potatoes to “stretch” the broth. Remember to add sufficient water to cook the quantity of ingredient you add. The broth and chowder may also be thickened by adding plain flour or toasted wheat flour.

Contributed by Mrs. Judie Spitsbergen, Morehead City, NC

[Tenacious]

Come on John, I know times are tough but sand fleas? Down south we fry up just about anything but I don't know about fleas!
I guess I could try to convice myself that there baby crawfish

[Capt_John]

It's not that tough, but I'm always curious to try new things. I never considered it, but when I think about eating soft shell crabs, shrimp, conch, oysters, clams etc. It's not that far fetched to try a mole crab. I want to give it a shot.

[Tenacious]

Never know it might become delicase! I guess your right soft shell crabs, shrimp, conch, oysters, clams, all are good why can't a sand flea. Don't forget to Bring something to wash it down with

[Capt_John]

Hmmmm....a bowl of popcorn sand fleas fried up w/ hot sauce and some cold beers actually sounds good.

[Tenacious]

What about some sweet and sour sand flea? Isn't that cast net video a little played out. How about dusting that video camera off and give us some instructions on your little sand flea concoction. If you are thinking hot sauce, this is the only one for me!

[Sea Draggin]

John,
There is a time of year in the fall when they molt. You can walk along and kick the sand and the sand will light up like a thousand fireflies.

If they are edible, I'll bet the Indians had a batch or two. They are easy pickin's

[fishskipper]

Now this is really interesting... I'm up to try it... seems easy... I wonder if you need to take off the top shell as well as the legs like a shrimp... The birds usually leave that shell on the beach?

[Robja]

John,

I will give it a try after I see you post that you are still alive after eating them. I am like fishskipper in that I wonder about the shell as well.