#17 Crawfish Boils
April 16, 2008 by chuval
Crawfish Boil. If those two words set off the waterworks in your mouth, then you just might be a Cajun. Don’t worry, that’s about as Foxworthy as I’ll ever get on you. 
I brought up crawfish boil rather than boiled crawfish because while boiled crawfish is a delicious food, a crawfish boil is a grand event. It’s like shootin’ your first deer, going to Mardis Gras, and your wedding day all rolled into one…but even better (but don’t tell my wife I said ‘dat, you). A crawfish boil is an all day affair that combines everything a Cajun loves: outdoors, fire, dead crustaceans, music, and gluttony.
When the guests first arrive, they socialize, munching on snacks, and drink beer. This is a good time to whip up a batch of crawfish dip, a mixture of equal parts ketchup, mayonaise and maybe a dash of seasoning and Tabasco Sauce. Some Cajuns swear by the dip, others are purists, and prefer to enjoy the natural flavor of the crawfish, and the 8 lbs of seasoning they were cooked in. There’s electricity in the air, as everyone anticipates the first glorious batch.
As the first batch of crawfish nears completion, the mood shifts, and people slowly start positioning themselves near the table, like a game of Cajun musical chairs. Sure, they’re still mingling and having a good time, but they’re really only thinking about diving into a pile of Louisiana lobster. Then the moment of truth arrives, and the steaming crawfish are dumped over a big table covered with newspapers, and the chowdown begins. This is a Jeckyll and Hyde moment, where all Cajuns are transformed into fierce crawfish peelin’ and eatin’ machines. Their primal instincts take over and there’s less chit chat, because now it’s time for business.
But don’t think we’re complete savages, even though our lizard brains have been switched on, there are still rules that have to be observed at a crawfish boil. First, it’s considered extremely rude to reach across the table and grab the biggest crawfish, especially when the pile has started to dwindle down. People have been stabbed in the hand with a fork for that offense, and you know what…they deserved it. Secondly, don’t go eatin’ the dead ones (have a Cajun explain that one to you). Do remember not wipe your eyes when you have seasoning on your hands, and feel free to suck the heads (get your mind out of the gutter, couyon!). Lastly try not to fill up on corn and potatoes, it’s a trick to keep you from eating too much crawfish! It’s like filling up on bread at a buffet. Remember, you’re here for one thing, and one thing only, and that’s to gorge yourself on crawfish.
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, you’re ready for your next crawfish boil. Don’t forget to pace yourself, a crawfish boil isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon, and remember to wear ‘dem stretchy pants.
Your blog is awesome. I found it by accident and am totally intrigued! The Crawfish Boil post is exactly how it is!
Ah…speaking of crawfish boils…MusicMaven has something to say on dat pictures
shoot link didn’t work…here it is in the long form http://shrewshutters.wordpress.com/2008/03/18/shutter-challenge-music-mavin-asks-who-dat-crawfish/
Those are great pics. I like how she circled and numbered the tools for a successful boil. One column can’t do a crawfish boil justice. I’ll have to expand on the wonders of crawfish in other posts.
Ok, here’s my rant on Crawfish Boils.
First, just when did it become vogue to boil everything in the pantry? Now, they put weinies, sausage, garlic, mushrooms and cabbage in addition to onions, corn and potatoes. Now, that’s alright when you have some Yankees over, but for me, give me the straight Crawfish.
Second, my husband is a “culler”. Can’t stand that and I call him out on it every time. So, to try and appease me he culls some of the big ones and throws them at me.
Third, the absolute BEST way to boil crawfish comes from T-Dan Broussard from Milton (no lie).
1. Clean and “purge” crawfish and rinse good with cold water.
2. Bring a pot of clean water to boil and put crawfish in (DO NOT ADD SEASONING). Add a few lemons — it helps them peel easier.
3. Once they are boiled, put them in an ice chest and put salt and seasoning on top. Shut the ice chest and shake it up real good.
4. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then pour on the table (a la my picture).
Talk about good, chere’. C’est bon, oui. Once you try it this way, you’ll never go back. T-Dan sells the seasoning at his “shop” and it has hydrogenated garlic in it as well as just the right amount of other seasonings. He’s on Hwy. 92, just across the Bayou (Vermilion).
heck yea!
I love a good crawfish boil. although, I’m a big fan of using the leftover corn & potatoes for a nice yummy hash the next day!
and I agree with the last person who commented- you must purge- makes a world of difference!
Love this entry!
i was wondering when you’d get to this one!
i agree that putting the seasoning on at the end, in the ice chest, is the best way to go. although i also like having seasoning in the pot. but hey - i like mushrooms in my crawfish. to me the mushrooms really soak up the seasonings and its a burst of flavor when you bite into it.
we’re preparing for a crawfish boil next week and i can hardly wait!
This is so funny! You explained the way a crawfish boil feels perfectly! I am getting my fingers ready for our first crawfish boil this season and ready to put ‘em down sha! But this year, I VOW to not scratch my eyes or even take out my contacts for the first few hours because I tell you what, that is a sure way to ruin the buzz of some good crawfish!
Oh, yeah, I’m a mushroom fan as well- although, I was talking to someone the other day and she told me that she went to a boil where someone put pickles in it.
ick.
Mushrooms are pretty good if you have seasoning in the water. They’re like flavor sponges. But that’s where I draw the line. Potatoes, corn, onions, and mushrooms are the only extras I throw in, but they go in after the crawfish are done. Gotta have priorities.
I love how you describe it as an event. I was complaining about the lack of crawfish boils the other day to my parents. My mom is allergic to shellfish so they don’t have them anymore. They both told me to go buy some and eat them. THe point is not just eating the crawfish but having the people around and the whole “event”. I don’t want to just sit outside by myself and eat them alone all season.