Crabs And Peaches - The Summer's Best Stuff With Short Drives Around Howard County

Crabs from Frank's Seafood

Summer makes for big food, and you can make short drives to get the best stuff.

The '34 Act Gourmet bought crabs to celebrate his birthday, and Frank's Seafood in Jessup steamed a spectacular bushel and a half.  I ate far more than my share.  Most people are such amateurs.  They knock off after two or three crabs.  The pros power through.

Peaches at Gorman

Frank's crabs were heavy and sweet.  Their spice mixture had flavor without being too salty.  I was super-impressed.

To continue on the summer flavors, drive down to Gorman Produce Farm in Laurel for peaches, basil, and vegetables.  Gorman farms most of the produce, and they sell boxes of tomatoes, herbs, onions, potatoes, beets, and more.  They also bring in peaches from Baugher Farm -- along with the first summer apples and other fruit.

WKitchen's summer cocktail

Gorman is a short drive from Columbia -- just east of Rte 29 on Gorman Road.  Like Frank's crabs, the Gorman produce is special and fresh.  You won't get these flavors from your mid-winter fruit.  I'm especially waiting until the tomatoes really arrive and Gorman sells crates of "seconds" to turn into sauce.

What other specialties of summer do you suggest? Any special shopping?  Special dishes at local restaurants?

It's a farther drive, but we went to Woodberry Kitchen that has the most-amazing summer items -- a like peach desserts and a warm cherry tomato salad with pancetta and rocket. But my absolute favorite was a non-alcoholic cocktail made from watermelon, cucumber juice, hot sauce, and sour mix. It alternatively sounds crazy and simple, but it tastes complex and delicious. I need to start experimenting with cocktails made with the blueberries that I preserved with wine.

Places To Buy Crabs Near Howard County

It is still too early for most Maryland crab feasts, but it is time to think about where you'll go for hard shells.

Frank's Seafood in Jessup has been my go-to place since I moved to Howard County, and they sold great crabs last August.  But people gave great suggestions in the comments last September when I asked for emergency help from someone who couldn't reserve Labor Day crabs at Frank's, including Casey's in Laurel, Sea King in Ellicott City, and Captain Dicks in Arbutus.

Where do you go?  What do you look for to ensure that you're getting good stuff?

Emergency: Where Can John Buy Crabs?

Emergency!  Where can John find crabs -- other than Franks Seafood in Jessup, which is apparently sold out for Sunday?

John left a comment on this week's Franks post, and he needs a place to buy a half bushel of hardshells for Sunday.

Crabs At Frank's Seafood - My Best Ever

Frank's Seafood delivered this weekend with some of the best crabs that I have ever eaten.

We hosted family and ate a half bushel of #1s with some corn and watermelon.  It's a once-a-year event for us, so we want delicious crabs.  Frank's delivered -- metaphorically.  We called ahead for the $84 mix of mediums and larges, and I picked up a box filled to the brim and then covered with a newspaper from the Eastern Shore.

The crabs were an absolute feast.  Heavy.  Sweet.  We ate for hours, and every hardshell came out tasting perfect.  It was a great bookend to the Frank's purchase that started off my summer with crabcakes.  Go grab a few dozen to end your summer right.

Frank's Seafood is the retail operation inside the Jessup wholesale seafood market.  They sell Tuesday to Sunday.  You need to check in at the entry gate, but retail buyers don't pay an entrance fee.

If you are going to Frank's, keep your eyes out for the scallops.  I bought them again -- $9 for a half pound -- and they cooked up perfectly last night with just butter.  And grab all the crab supplies if you need.  We got mallets and hard plastic knives for $1 a head.