FWIW: I would NOT venture to say that anyone else is wrong.
However, where I come from in Southern Maryland we steamed
crabs. We placed some kind of a collender or something in the
bottom of a large pot to keep the crabs out of the water. We
added Old Bay seasoning to taste (some like a lot, some do
not) and when the water was boiling we threw the squirming
snapper guys into the pot where they steamed, not boiled. We
NEVER cooked ones that were not alive. Crabs spoil in a NY
minute (whatever that is?). Some like to add a beer to the
water, I usually do.
My dad explained to me that the crabs would not be soggy if
you steamed them. I have eaten them boiled, but IMHO there is
NOTHING as good as a steamed hardshell crab. (Actually that's
a lie, because there is nothing like a fried softshell crab
sandwich with a cold beer).
I guess the above is to point out regional differences or
something. To each his own, but thought someone might be
interested in another way. The best way <EBG>
Ted Duke
WWps19 #626
Mountains of Virginia
Still in the high 90's days, but we have had about 2 3/10's
inches of rain in the last 72 hours. Now we are only
deficient about 99/100's of the normal precipation over the
last 3 years. Roanoke's resevoir is down over 25 FEET. Smith
Mountain Lake is down some 4 ft or so.