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Whole Lobster Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to whole lobster
About whole lobster
Although many groups of crustaceans contain the term "lobster" in their names, true lobsters have claws on their three front legs, with those on the front legs growing much larger than the others. These clawed lobsters aren't actually related to spiny lobsters or slipper lobsters, which have no claws. Their closest relatives are freshwater crayfish and reef lobsters.
Lobsters can live up to around 50 years, and since they keep growing throughout life, they can become impressively large. The biggest lobster ever recorded was a 44-pounder that was caught in Nova Scotia, Canada. Interestingly, the cells of lobsters don't actually show any signs of decaying during their lifespans, which means they technically don't get old. What typically kills them, in the end, is damage to their shells.
Lobster is regarded as a culinary delight in many cultures because they are so expensive. This is because lobster farming has not been successful. These crustaceans grow slowly, eat a lot, and are susceptible to contagious diseases. Just about all the lobster meat you eat is from wild lobsters, which means that part of the high price you're paying for Lobster Thermidor in a restaurant is due to shipping costs.
The lobster wasn't always an expensive and highly regarded food source in the U.S., though. Up to about the mid-19th century, European colonists thought of lobster as peasant food, and prisoners who were fed lobster often complained.
Whole lobster cooking tips
Lobster is mainly steamed or boiled. It's only when they're cooked that they turn orange, which is due to a chemical called astaxanthin that's released through heat. When alive, lobsters are bluish-green or greenish-brown in color. The tradition of boiling lobster alive came into practice due to the fact that lobster meat spoils quickly after death. Also, lobsters and other shellfish contain bacteria that begin to multiply and release toxins when they die, which can cause food poisoning in humans.
However, there are humane ways to cook a live lobster, including first stunning the lobster with an electric device or putting it in a freezer for about 30 minutes. You can then use a sharp knife to split the lobster along the longitudinal midline on its underside, after which the lobster meat is ready to be boiled or steamed. This method has zero impact on the freshness of the meat, and will it will be as tasty and tender as the meat you get when lobster's boiled alive.
There are many delicious ways in which to enjoy lobster. Whole lobster is typically served with melted butter and lemon juice. To cook the lobster, toss it in boiling water for about 12-18 minutes. When the shell turns bright orange or red, the meat should be done. You can double-check by cutting into the meat, which turns opaque when it's cooked. Other traditional ways lobster is enjoyed include lobster bisque, lobster rolls, and Lobster Thermidor, a French dish of lobster meat cooked in a wine sauce.
You can, of course, also buy pre-prepared lobster products. At Instacart, we offer live lobster as well as various tasty lobster products, which include frozen, steamed, and canned lobster meat. Simply visit our website and select the lobster products you want online, and an Instacart shopper can deliver them to you within as little as 2 hours!
Whole Lobster Near Me
Buy your favorite Whole Lobster online with Instacart. Order Whole Lobster from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about whole lobster
Although lobster and crayfish are related and look quite alike, there are a few main differences between them. Firstly, whereas lobster lives in saltwater, crayfish can be found in freshwater ecosystems, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. Crayfish is also much smaller than lobster. While they are typically between two to six inches long, lobsters are at least eight inches in size before they're harvested for food and can grow up to 20 inches or more.
As far as taste goes, lobster obviously yields larger chunks of meat, which has a delicate and slightly sweet flavor. Apart from serving it with melted butter, you don't need to add any spices when preparing the meat. Crayfish, on the other hand, is typically boiled in seasoned water to enhance its taste. The meat is not as sweet as that of lobster and has a more subtle flavor.
Lobster is one of the leanest protein sources and contains less saturated fats, calories, and cholesterol than beef, pork, or chicken. Lobster meat actually contains "good" fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which prevent heart disease. In addition, lobster meat is an excellent source of selenium, which helps with your metabolism and thyroid function; copper, which maintains healthy bones, blood vessels, and nerves in the body; and vitamin B12, which helps with red blood cell formation and anemia prevention.