Spot Prawns are a seasonal delicacy in Pacific North America. With a fishing season that spans a mere six to eight weeks, the arrival of these succulent crustaceans triggers a year-long anticipation among the locals.
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🦐 What are Spot Prawns?
Spot prawns are the largest species of Alaskan shrimp. Even though they're called "prawns," they're technically classified as shrimp.
They're harvested in limited amounts every summer along the coastal North Pacific Ocean, from San Diego up to Alaska.
Spot prawns vary widely in size but are generally pretty big, reaching up to 12 inches at full maturity. They're often described as mini lobsters.
They have a sweet flavor and a bouncy and tender texture when cooked.
Fun Facts
- Spot Prawns are the largest commercial shrimp species on Canada's west coast.
- They're harvested in British Columbia, Washington, and Alaska.
- They are hermaphrodites. They are male for the first two years before changing to female. They often live for four years.
- Annual harvest in BC is around 2,450 metric tonnes, with approximately 65% coming from the waters between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
📅 When is Spot Prawn Season?
The length and duration of the Spot Prawn season differ in Canada and the United States. In Canada, spot prawns are a certified sustainable fishery. The season is very short, lasting only a few months, typically starting in the first week of May and lasting up to 6 to 8 weeks.
The season in the United States can run between 8 and 10 months, depending on the precise region along the US coast.
🪝Sustainability
The Canadian shrimp trap fishery is managed by the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Strict regulations are in place to govern entry, gear, catch limits, and the protection of breeding grounds.
Some of the sustainable practices used in BC include the following:
- Regulating the number of boats allowed to gather spot prawns for commercial purposes.
- Limiting the number of traps per fisher.
- Immediately returning female "berried" prawns (those with eggs still attached).
- Traps are closely watched during the harvest season, and the fishery is shut off if the quantity of spawning prawns caught in each trap falls below a certain threshold.
🍲 How to Cook Spot Prawns
Spot prawns can be cooked in various ways, including boiling, stir-frying, deep-frying, grilling, steaming, and eating raw. They taste best when poached quickly in water, between 30 seconds and two minutes.
To boil/poach:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. For every 8 cups of water, add one tablespoon of salt.
- Quickly rinse the prawns under cold water to remove dirt.
- Add the prawns to the pot and cover quickly with a lid. Cook for 2 minutes before draining the water. Serve immediately.
🍣 Can Spot Prawns Be Eaten Raw?
Eating raw seafood of any kind poses some risk, but spot prawns are generally considered a pretty safe option. According to Fair Weather Salmon, they're safe to eat raw.
Spot prawns should only be eaten raw if they're fresh and alive. Like all prawns and shrimp, spot prawns release an enzyme from their heads after death.
The enzyme spreads throughout their bodies, turning the meat mushy and black. To prepare for raw eating, firmly grasp the head and body of the prawn and twist to remove the head.
🍤 How To Cook The Heads
Depending on how you prepare the Spot Prawns, you may end up with many Spot Prawn heads.
Deep-fried
The heads can be deep-fried and eaten whole. They become incredibly crisp after a short fry.
Toss the heads in a bowl with ½ cup cornstarch and ½ teaspoon of salt until evenly coated. Heat about 1 inch of oil to 350℉ and cook for 2 minutes, stirring and turning, until golden brown.
Prawn stock
Add the heads to a pot and submerge them in cold water. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Discard the shells, and use the stock within three days. Or, for long-term storage, you can freeze the stock for up to 2 months.
🧊 Storage
Live spot prawns are best eaten on the same day. However, they can last several days in the refrigerator if properly stored.
To store in the refrigerator:
- Remove the heads by firmly grasping the head and body and twisting.
- Rinse the tails under cold tap water to remove any residue from the head.
- Place in a container and cover with an ice bag.
To store in the freezer:
- Remove the heads by firmly grasping the head and body and twisting.
- Place the tails in a plastic container or ziplock bag and fill with a saline solution (1 teaspoon salt to 1.5 cup water). Remember that water expands as it freezes, so leave some space in the container or bag.
📋 Recipe
Boiled Spot Prawns
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. For every 8 cups of water, add one tablespoon of salt.
- Rinse the prawns thoroughly under cold water.
- Add the spot prawns and quickly cover with a lid. Cook for 2 minutes, then immediately drain the water. Serve immediately with a side of soy sauce for dipping.
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