MetaChat - Culinary questions:

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21 February 2008

Culinary questions: Last night on Emiril, he battered and deep fried whole shrimp, heads and shells. My question is, how do you eat them? Did he intend that the shells be eaten as well? If not, what is the point of battering them? TIA

post by: Ardiril at: 14:01 | 15 comments

I think yes, they're meant to be eaten. (I'm not a shrimp expert, though -- I don't like them.) I do know, however, that a lot of Asian cultures eat the shell and tail and all, so it's not unheard of.

posted by mudpuppie 21 February | 14:05

Jeez. Prawns and Shrimps are skeevy enough as it is without eating all the insecty bits of them too.

posted by essexjan 21 February | 14:09

Shrimp shells as appetizers.

It's rude not to eat them.

Oblig YouTube video.

Killing time before running an errand.

posted by mudpuppie 21 February | 14:20

I like shrimp shells if they're fried so as to be crispy enough to be easily crunched.

posted by small_ruminant 21 February | 14:21

I remember when I saw 'Splash' at the cinema I almost threw up when Daryl Hannah bit into that lobster, shell and all. (I read years later that it was made of a hard sugar shell filled with mashed potato, but still ...)

posted by essexjan 21 February | 14:26

it's crunchy, non-Kosher goodness

posted by matteo 21 February | 14:41

I often eat the shells and tails when shrimp are prepared this way, if they are thin-shelled and crispy enough - and my husband always does... and rolls his eyes whenever I do peel them.

No heads though, for me, ever. DON'T make a joke. I dare you to make a joke.

posted by taz 21 February | 14:55

We eat them that way in Ghana, heads and all - and it's YUMMY! It always baffles me when i see people peel them...that's where all the flava's at, people!!!

posted by ramix 21 February | 15:06

I've eaten tempura'd shrimp/prawn heads at Japanese restaurants. They're considered a delicacy and are fairly tasty, although you do have make sure to chew thoroughly before swallowing to avoid scratching your throat.

posted by me3dia 21 February | 15:23

Yeah, you gotta squeeze the brains out, they're the best bit.

posted by chrismear 21 February | 15:26

This is the best shrimp of all.

posted by mudpuppie 21 February | 15:50

This is the best shrimp of all.

It would be a shame to eat a shrimp like that, all at once!

posted by danf 21 February | 16:00

Sometimes when you order ebi nigiri you get the heads deep fried in batter and served with it. pretty crunchy is all I can say.

posted by eekacat 21 February | 19:28

That's what I thought. I once had chinese peppered shrimp in the shell. I tried to eat them shell and all, but it seemed way to much work to be worth the while.

posted by Ardiril 22 February | 00:38

do you really have to squeeze the brains out?!

posted by Mrs.Pants 22 February | 12:23

← This is all very sad. || *SIGH* →

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