Farm-2-Market specializes in a variety of fresh seafood including shrimp and scallops from diverse regions across North America. Whether you are on team shrimp, team scallops, or you do not discriminate between seafood, we have prepared a few pieces of information that you may be interested to know about shrimp and scallops.
Differences Between Shrimp and Scallops
Shrimp and scallops have different diets
Like all fresh fish, much of the flavor comes from the oil, which is accumulated through the creature's diet and gets evenly distributed throughout the body. While shrimps live off of worms, plankton, and other shellfish, scallops consume small plants and animals to survive.
Classification
Shrimp are classified as crustaceans and are therefore associated with lobsters, crabs, crawfish and the like. These creatures have a very different flavor and tend to have a tougher, more substantial texture when compared to the mollusk family, which scallops come from. Other mollusks include mussels, oysters and clams, and are normally prepared in smaller, less substantial portions than shrimp and other crustacean-based dishes.
Shrimp and scallop recipes
When preparing shrimp or scallops, one must consider the difference in price points. While home cooks can purchase a large 3 lb portion of fresh wild Baja white shrimp for $87, our fresh giant sea scallops are slightly more expensive at $69 for a smaller, 2.5 lb portion. Sea scallops are, however, normally prepared using a smaller quantity of seafood in scallop-based recipes when compared to shrimp recipes. While shrimp can be seen as a slightly more versatile item with the option to serve it hot or cold, scallops are normally served hot. However, both of these seafood items can be prepared using a variety of cooking methods.
Nutritional profile
Both shrimp and scallops offer a fabulous source of lean protein and few calories. Additionally, scallops contain a high level of important minerals such as magnesium and potassium, and shrimps boast a high amount of vitamin B12, which is essential to your heart health.
Are you a serious seafood lover? Browse our online selection of shrimp and scallops today.
]]>Show off your seafood knowledge during your next visit to a fresh seafood market or Cajun-style restaurant with the following distinctions between popular terms, “crawfish” and “crayfish”.
Key Differences Between Crawfish and Crayfish
What is crawfish?
Crawfish is a type of small crustacean, which holds a similar appearance to lobster. Live crawfish can be found in shallow, freshwater areas such as streams and shorelines across North America, Asia and Europe. At Farm-2-Market, seafood lovers no longer need to search for nearby live crawfish for sale, as we source fresh crawfish from all over North America, and ship it straight to your doorstep.
“Crawfish” is an American spelling of the word, inspired by the pronunciation in the Southern states of the U.S. Our live Pacific green signal crawfish and red crawfish are highly sought-after options, which are found in the shallow waters of California and Louisiana.
When should you refer to it as crayfish?
The word “crayfish” is now seen as more of a technical term to describe this delicious crustacean. Due to its deep roots in Cajun-style cuisine, most chefs have adopted the American spelling of the word to describe this high-quality seafood item in a culinary context. However, the term “crayfish” is still widely used in the scientific community. If you are looking to order this crustacean for cooking, it will be helpful to search for “live crawfish for sale near me” to find fresh seafood, which is safe for consumption.
What is an alternative to crawfish?
If you are preparing a seafood recipe and you do not have live crawfish on hand, a popular alternative to this crustacean is lobster. While lobster is much larger than crawfish, it boasts a similar flavor and texture, and can be used in moderation in crawfish recipes. At Farm-2-Market however, customers can enjoy overnight shipping of crawfish and other crustaceans so that you are never at a loss for fresh seafood.
Contact us today to learn more about our live crawfish and other decadent seafood options!
]]>If you are planning on purchasing fresh seafood, consider the following tips for ensuring the highest quality and freshness.
Tips for Storing and Caring for Fresh Seafood
Prepare whole fish before refrigeration
Are you planning on purchasing a whole fish from a fresh seafood market near you? Unlike pre-portioned fillets, whole fish must be cleaned and gutted before it is refrigerated. Washing the fish under cold water and patting it dry will remove any potentially harmful bacteria from the skin. Additionally, gutting the fish will allow it to stay fresh for longer as the guts tend to decay rapidly inside the body. If you are inexperienced in gutting fish, we offer excellent whole gutted fish options such as our striped bass. Fish should be consumed as quickly as possible and stored in a consistently cold area such as a drawer near the back of your refrigerator.
Select freezer-appropriate containers
While fresh seafood will always guarantee the best flavor, it is sometimes necessary to store your seafood in the freezer. For the best results, we recommend freezing your seafood in a container with minimal air such as a freezer bag or a vacuum-sealed package. Seafood should always be thawed in the refrigerator before cooking and should not be frozen for more than six months.
Do not kill your lobsters
The key to a delicious lobster recipe is to ensure you do not kill the lobsters during refrigeration. Fresh lobsters should be refrigerated immediately upon purchase and covered in a damp material such as seaweed or wet paper towels. Two common mistakes that are made upon receiving live lobsters are placing them on ice or refrigerating them in tight containers, which suffocate the crustaceans. Lobster and other fresh shellfish should be consumed within one day of purchasing. Shellfish such as oysters, clams, and mussels should be thrown away immediately if shells are broken or permanently opened.
Shop Farm-2-Market Today!
Have you ever wondered, “where can I buy fresh seafood near me?” Farm-2-Market delivers fresh seafood straight to your door from incredible sources across North America. Contact us today for more information!
]]>Here we have provided some of the key information that will help guide you next time you plan on ordering live shellfish from Farm-2-Market.
What You Should Know About Shellfish
The two major groups of shellfish to be aware of are crustaceans and mollusks. Crustaceans are most often served in their shell and include shrimp, lobster, and crab among other options. Conversely, mollusks are often removed from their shells, such as scallops and oysters. Both types of shellfish can be found in freshwater or saltwater and may vary in quality depending on the region in which it is harvested. At Farm-2-Market, we are dedicated to delivering the freshest seafood straight to your door, sourced from the finest live shellfish regions in North America.
Shellfish is a great source of lean protein and essential fatty acids. Shellfish is also full of important minerals such as zinc, vitamin B12, and magnesium, which greatly contribute to your overall health. Fresh seafood lovers can enjoy these nutritionally dense jewels of the sea for few calories, making live shellfish a great weight loss tool. Research also suggests that regular consumption of shellfish can contribute to a lower risk of heart disease and increased brain function.
While shellfish is a healthy and delicious option for any meal, all seafood can be harmful if it is not sourced, stored and prepared properly. To avoid coming into contact with dangerous bacteria, it is essential to purchase your shellfish from a reputable seafood market. At Farm-2-Market, we ensure safe shipping methods and a high standard for food handling that will allow you to enjoy live shellfish selections like our California Miyagi oysters or our perfectly cooked King Crab legs. We do not, however, advise pregnant women or those who have shellfish allergies to consume our products.
Shellfish is incredibly versatile and can be prepared in a multitude of ways. Explore unique recipes such as our Billie bi stew or our oysters Rockefeller recipe next time you order live shellfish from our fresh market.
Contact us today to place your order for fresh seafood!
]]>The oyster connoisseurs at Farm-2-Market have created a guide to everything you need to know about the highly-regarded Blue Point oysters.
Blue Pont Oysters – What You Need to Know
Although Blue Point oysters get their name from a small village in Long Island, NY, they must spend a minimum of three months during their 3-4-year growth period in Great South Bay to fit the criteria of Blue Points. Unfortunately, many oyster growers from neighboring regions disregard this strict definition, and label their own oysters as Blue Points, despite their location. Conversely, producers may give their oysters a different name even if they fit the criteria to be called "Blue Points". This is allowed if the oysters are moved to various locations over the years. Although Blue Point oysters are well known, highly regarded oysters; some producers may choose to assign a different name to raise the price of their product.
In the 19th century, oysters were much more widely consumed. Commonly prepared in the homes of Americans, as well as in your average bar or restaurant, Blue Point oysters became a widely recognized choice due to consistent supply and excellent flavor. As oyster consumption has decreased over the years, Blue Point oysters have managed to maintain their status as a popular choice for oysters.
Blue Point oysters stem from a small seed and grow on the bottom of the sea. They reach a size of approximately 3-4 inches and are known to have a briny, mildly salty and sweet taste, most often served raw with minimal toppings. Blue Point oysters are normally transferred from shallow to deep waters periodically during their growing period, in order to achieve a consistent size and flavor.
These oysters face the most adverse weather conditions in the summer months due to their position in Great South Bay. For this reason, it is best to buy these oysters between September and April. Blue points that are purchased during the summer are likely to have been harvested earlier in the year and will not be as fresh.
Farm-2-Market Has Top Oyster Options
If you are looking into buying fresh Blue Point oysters or other seafood, look no further than Farm-2-Market. For more information on our high-quality seafood products, call us today and speak to one of our experts at 800-477-2967.
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