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Lobster Tails Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to lobster tails
About lobster tails
Lobster tails are often served as a special treat, and even if you don't live in Maine, you can find them fresh and frozen, depending on the store. When shopping for lobster tails, there are usually two different types to choose from. Most stores will have warm-water lobster tails and cold-water lobster tails. Warm-water lobster comes from Florida and the Caribbean, and cold water tails come from Australia and New Zealand. You'll notice a difference in taste between the two, with the cold-water tails often having a sweeter, cleaner taste.
 Maine lobster is also a cold-water lobster and is often called Northern lobster if you are not from the northeastern part of the United States. Maine lobster tail is from a true lobster. These have large front claws and are the more sought-after type of lobster with the best texture and flavor.
Rock lobster or Spiny lobsters come from warm waters, usually along the southern Atlantic coast or the California coast. These lobsters do not have large, edible front claws, only tiny claws without any meat. Instead, they have large tails, which is why they are often what you will find in the grocery store. The different types of spiny lobster tails include:
- South African lobster tail: These lobster tails are known for their reddish-orange color. They have sweet, juicy meat and are often served with butter and lemon sauce.
- Brazilian lobster tail: The Brazilian lobster tail are the best-tasting warm-water lobster tails. They are tender and packed with lots of flavors.
When shopping for lobster tails, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Look at the color. Avoid tails that have any discoloration in the meat. Look for black spots or any yellowing on the flesh. If you see any of this, the meat should be avoided.
- Check the label to see if it has been soaked in sodium tripolyphosphate before it was frozen. Make sure to avoid these.
- There should be no graying on the lobster tail. If it has any gray at all, it means the lobster was dead before processing.
- Look for 5- to 12-ounce lobster tails. The smaller tails give you a good amount of meat but still have a nice texture and taste.
- Choose cold water lobster over warm water since it is most likely to have a better taste.Â
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Lobster tail cooking tips
There are several ways you can cook lobster tails. It is easy to prepare, and it doesn't take very long.Â
- Grilling. Heat the grill to 400 degrees. Place the lobster tail with the shell intact on the grates and grill for eight to 10 minutes. You can flip the tail once halfway through cooking to get grill marks on both sides.
- Steaming. Fill a large lobster pot with a few inches of water and add a steamer basket. Bring to a boil, and place the lobster tails in the basket—steam for eight to 10 minutes.
- Roasting. Preheat oven to 475. Using some scissors, cut the top of the lobster tail's shell down the middle, and spread it open to expose the meat. Brush with butter and garlic and cook for eight to 10 minutes until the meat is opaque and firm.
- Broiling. Preheat the broiler and place a rack about six inches from the heat. Cut the top of the shell with scissors, and brush with garlic butter and broil for about six minutes.
Lobster Tails Near Me
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FAQs about lobster tails
You can thaw frozen lobster tail by putting it in the refrigerator. This is the best way to do it; it just takes some planning. Keep it in the packaging or transfer it to a sealed container. It should take a day to thaw the tails unless they are very large. If you don't have all day, you can also thaw the lobster tails in cold water. Place them in a sealed plastic bag, and place the bag in a bowl of cold water. Make sure it's tightly sealed so water doesn't get to the lobster meat. It should take about four to eight hours, depending on the size of the lobster tails.
Serve any of your favorite side dishes with lobster tails. Roasted vegetables such as asparagus or broccoli work well with the flavor of lobster, or you can make a mixed green salad. Potatoes are also a good choice. Roast them with parmesan cheese for a nice side dish.
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