Maine Peekytoe Picked Crab Cakes are perfect for Superbowl Sunday

Peekytoe crabs are actually Atlantic sand or rock crabs. They are commonly caught right along with lobsters in Maine: as they also enter the lobster traps to feast on the bait. This odd name is derived from the expression “picked toe” because the legs or toes of the crab are picked as well as the claws and body. You can easily imagine how peekytoe came from “pick it toe” if you are familiar with a strong Down East Maine accent! Coastal Maine residents have always loved this sweet delicate crab meat and it is quickly gaining popularity worldwide as chefs are discovering just how good it is. The picking of these crabs is a true “cottage” industry in Maine. Generations of lobstermen’s wives and mothers have been busy picking the crabs brought home at the end of the fishing day. Commercial processors rarely want to deal with the effort involved in the time-consuming, traditional, hand-picking method that is required to produce superior meat, free of shells. Peekytoe crabmeat is delicious mixed with a little mayonnaise and seasoning to use in sandwiches. It can be used in crab appetizer and dip recipes, makes great seafood or mushroom stuffing, and, of course, is fabulous for crab cakes.

Classic Maine Peekytoe Crab Cakes

4Tbs Butter

1 ½ cups fine bread crumbs

1Tbs Salt

1 tsp Pepper

1lb crab meat

¾ cup sour cream

½ cup lemon juice

Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs, salt & pepper and stir with a large spoon until the butter is fully incorporated but not browned. Remove from the heat and let cool. Place the crabmeat in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice and toss. Mix in the sour cream, 1/2 cup flour, and the bread crumbs. Form the crab mixture into 6 ½ inch thick patties. (If the mixture seems too wet, add a little more flour.) Coat each crab cake with flour. Warm the vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the crab cakes and cook until very brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Enjoy!

For more information on Maine Peekytoe Picked Crab meat and other wonderful seafood options for Superbowl Sunday visit www.atlanticexpressseafood.com .