Hickory Grilled Soft Shell Crab

Recipe:

6 Soft Shell Crabs

1 cup melted butter

2 Tbs. lemon pepper

4 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 Tbs. olive oil

Salt

White pepper

Tabasco sauce

Steps: Clean each crab. Lift the pointer side of the crab and remove the gills by pulling them out. Put the top shell back down and repeat on the other side. With the bottom of the crab facing up, remove the tail flap by twisting it and pulling it off. Using scissors remove the face by cutting behind the eyes. Rinse crabs thoroughly with cold water and set aside to dry on paper towels.

Heat the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Once butter has melted add lemon pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and a dash of Tabasco.

While butter is warm, transfer to a bowl. Add crabs and make sure that each crab is thoroughly coated with the mixture, including the parts under the flap. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or more.

Sprinkle an open grill with hickory chips. Place crabs as close to heat source as possible (stay close to the grill and be careful not to burn crabs.) Baste with lemon butter mixture as they cook. After about 4-6 minutes, when the crabs are crispy and the meat is white remove from heat and serve!

Recipe Courtesy of Vince Zangari

Ippolito's Seafood was conceived in 1919 when Guiseppi Ippolito first stepped foot on American soil. Wanting to mix the traditions of his fore-fathers with a touch of the ‘American Dream,’ he started with a seafood push cart. He was inspired to open his own establishment where customers could get the freshest fish at affordable prices and top notch service. In ten years time he saved enough money to turn his dream into a reality and Ippolito's Seafood opened its doors for the first time in 1929.

In the 1970's, Guiseppi's grandson, Sam, took a great interest in the family business. He soon took over and took the business to a new level. Ippolito's began to clean, cook, and prepare seafood for further customer satisfaction. With the help of his mother, wife and Aunt Connie's recipe's, Sam watched in awe as his family's dream came true.

Today Ippolito's has come to be called a landmark Philadelphia institution because we are still committed to providing Guiseppi’s original mission to insure high quality, top priority service at the most affordable prices.

The next generation of the Ippolito family is ready to take Ippolito's Seafood into tomorrow. Like the generations before us, we will continue to strive for excellence and perfection.