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    Home » Location » Canada » British Columbia » How to Cook and Eat Spot Prawns

    How to Cook and Eat Spot Prawns

    May 7, 2021 · 44 Comments

    Chili Soy Dipping Sauce for Spot Prawns
    ow to Cook and Eat Spot Prawns

    BC spot prawns are deliciously flavoured: sweet, buttery and delicate. Spot prawn season is quick and short and typically lasts only 30 to 40 days from mid-May. Live spot prawns are sustainability harvested in British Columbia off the West Coast of Canada. Enjoy these wild spot prawns guilt-free! Poach, sashimi, steamed, fried - there is no wrong way to eat these large shrimp. But the best way to eat them is simply poached.

    How to Cook and Eat Spot Prawns
    Jump to:
    • What Are Spot Prawns?
    • Where Can You Buy Spot Prawns
    • Spot prawn vs Tiger Prawn
    • Mud Line On The Back Of The Shrimp
    • How To Cook Spot Prawns?
    • How To Peel and Unsheathe Tasty Prawns
    • What To Do With Leftover Spot Prawn Heads
    • What About Spot Prawn Roe?
    • Portion Sizes
    • Why Are My Spot Prawns Mushy?
    • What To Serve With Spot Prawns

    What Are Spot Prawns?

    Wild B.C. spot prawns are known for their vibrant reddish-orange color with white stripes on the legs and distinctive white spots on the tail. This delicious spot prawns only come for a limited short season. The harvest season only lasts six to eight weeks in the month of May. Spot prawns are trap caught off the Pacific Coast of North America from San Diego to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They are sometimes referred to as Alaska spot prawns or "The Lobster of Alaska." They have the highest quality prawn meat.

    Where Can You Buy Spot Prawns

    You can buy and pre-order these succulent prawns at your local grocery stores or local spot prawns vendors. Frozen spot prawns are also available year round in Canada.

    Spot prawn vs Tiger Prawn

    Tiger shrimps are significantly larger compared to spot prawns. Tiger shrimp has a meaty and firm texture, whereas spot prawns are delicate and with a melt-in-your-mouth buttery bouncy texture. Tiger prawns are great for grilling during barbecue season.

    Mud Line On The Back Of The Shrimp

    The black line on the back of the shrimp is the intestinal tract of the prawn. It is more pleasant to eat if it is removed. Use a small paring knife and cut along the outer, thickest part of the shrimp of the back of the raw shrimp. Remove the vein.

    raw spot prawns
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    How To Cook Spot Prawns?

    The simple secret to enjoying whole spot prawns is by poaching them in a large pot of water boiling with sea salt. The most important thing is to keep it a short process.

    Spot shrimp cook fast! It is a fine line between over cooking live prawns vs cooking them 'just right"! I like them best poached for 30 seconds. Quickly blanched whole prawns in boiling hot water and served with a chilli soy dipping sauce. Do not cook them more than one minute. Keep your eyes on these sweet shrimp! Once they turn pink; they are ready!

    There are number of other options to enjoy fresh spot prawns. Some like steam, pan fry in a large saute pan or even oven bake at 450 F. spread prawns in a single layer of prawns with garlic and red pepper flakes. Others like to add a bit of crème fraîche and make it saucy. Some people also enjoy eating raw spot prawns sashimi style! How about a spot prawn boil?

    How To Peel and Unsheathe Tasty Prawns

    If you have never unsheathe prawns, the first time can be a little scary. There are different ways to shell spot prawns. Just follow the following simple technique!

    Note: the cooked prawns are probably a little hot. Allow it it rest and cool before working with them.

    1. Pull off the head and legs.
    2. Remove the shell starting with the head end, pull off the other shell with your hands. You can keep the last segment of the shell on the tail tip.
    3. Remove and discard the vein.

    Place the unsheathe shells in a plastic bag or container to freeze and to make shell fish stock.

    What To Do With Leftover Spot Prawn Heads

    Do not discard prawn shells or their heads. Spot prawn heads are excellent when deep fried with a little bit of corn starch dusted. Enjoy it with a gentle squeeze of lemon juice.

    Unsheathe shells are excellent for making Shellfish Stock.

    chinese poached spot prawns

    What About Spot Prawn Roe?

    Some spot prawns may be carrying roe. You can see colors from orange to red on their bellies. Spot prawns can be cooked with roe. Enjoy the delicious sweet and briny flavoured roe by sucking on the shrimp heads!

    Portion Sizes

    When it comes to choosing spot prawns, bigger does not always mean better flavours when it comes to buying BC spot prawns. The unique flavour of spot prawns do not diminish when comparing bigger to smaller prawns. We like them mid-sized and find them the sweetest!

    Why Are My Spot Prawns Mushy?

    Take off the heads - STAT! Spot prawns spoils quickly. You will need to cook them soonest possible to remove their heads. Spot prawns releases enzymes when they die and turns their flesh mushy and soft and their bodies black! If you see frozen spot prawns head on - do not buy them!

    If you see raw prawns with black spots or a floating shrimp that smell fishy, do not eat and a risk of slimy shrimp food poisoning.

    What To Serve With Spot Prawns

    Chinese Chili Soy Dipping Sauce 辣椒豉油熟油

    Air Fryer Cauliflower 氣炸鍋菜花

    Fried Garlic Seafood Fried Rice 金蒜海鮮炒飯

    How to Cook and Eat Spot Prawns

    Did you enjoy any Sweet Spot Prawns? I'd love to see how you went with my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS

    How to Cook and Eat Spot Prawns

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda says

      May 13, 2022 at 9:59 pm

      Very helpful for someone who enjoys prawns so much like me!

      Reply
    2. Amanda says

      May 13, 2022 at 6:37 am

      Such great instructions and so good!

      Reply
    3. Alexandra says

      May 13, 2022 at 1:05 am

      Thank you for this - you've made me realise how easy it is to prepare the Spot Prawns now!

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 14, 2022 at 7:08 pm

        totally easy and so full of flavour!

        Reply
    4. Nora says

      May 12, 2022 at 10:46 pm

      Thanks for this super informative article! It is really helpful!

      Reply
    5. Maur says

      May 12, 2022 at 9:36 pm

      Oh my gosh! this is incredibly satisfying

      Reply
    6. Swathi says

      May 12, 2022 at 8:25 pm

      This prawns looks delicious my favorite. I need to try this version.

      Reply
    7. Marcellina says

      May 12, 2022 at 7:02 pm

      Great tips!

      Reply
    8. Rosanna says

      May 03, 2022 at 11:38 pm

      Thank you for this really informative blog! Really helpful as I’ve only recently begun eating prawns

      Reply
    9. Abby says

      May 03, 2022 at 5:28 am

      Never knew how to cook prawns before, so helpful!

      Reply
    10. Geetanjali Tung says

      February 01, 2022 at 9:38 am

      Yum! This was so good! Definitely making it again on this weekend.Thanks!

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        February 02, 2022 at 4:11 pm

        I can't wait for spot prawn season!

        Reply
    11. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

      January 30, 2022 at 8:46 am

      Thank you for such an informative post on spot prawns. Being in central Ontario, we seldomly get fresh seafood.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        January 30, 2022 at 12:35 pm

        Hopefully you can some fresh ones delivered soon! but just don't eat the frozen ones with head on!

        Reply
    12. Dawn Conklin says

      January 30, 2022 at 8:14 am

      I have never had prawns before now. Thank you for sharing about how to handle and cook them - I had no idea they get mushy fast! The chili soy dipping sauce is amazing. It's delicious and easy to make.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        January 30, 2022 at 12:35 pm

        OMG you need to try the fresh ones!!

        Reply
    13. Jen says

      January 29, 2022 at 5:27 pm

      didnt know there are so many kind of prawns, great tips for preparing them.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        January 30, 2022 at 12:36 pm

        happy feasting Jen!

        Reply
    14. Shilpa says

      January 29, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        January 29, 2022 at 5:15 pm

        Hope you enjoy feasting on the spot prawns

        Reply
    15. Sue says

      January 29, 2022 at 3:12 pm

      Oh these look so good, especially with that yummy dipping sauce!

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        January 29, 2022 at 5:15 pm

        that's almost the BEST part!

        Reply
    16. Amy Liu Dong says

      December 02, 2021 at 10:52 pm

      I love this. Such a quick and easy but delicious dish to make for everyone. Yum!

      Reply
    17. Sabrina says

      December 02, 2021 at 12:34 pm

      Yum! One of my favourites. This sauce is so nice and light compared to dipping in garlic butter, my new go-to sauce for these!

      Reply
    18. Amanda Scarlati says

      December 02, 2021 at 9:03 am

      Such helpful instructions, made it so easy!

      Reply
    19. Natalie says

      December 02, 2021 at 6:08 am

      Great guide. Thank you for sharing tips and info. This post is a keeper.

      Reply
    20. Alexandra says

      December 01, 2021 at 10:10 pm

      This sauce is so delicious and full of flavour! Perfect with the prawns.

      Reply
    21. Kayla DiMaggio says

      December 01, 2021 at 6:22 pm

      Great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    22. Jeannie says

      December 01, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      This is perfect as a quick meal and would love to pair this rice and yes cant go wrong with chili and soy sauce on the side.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        December 01, 2021 at 4:11 pm

        rice to go with the juice and sauces is a wonderful idea!

        Reply
    23. Audrey says

      December 01, 2021 at 3:41 pm

      These were great tips thank you!

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        December 01, 2021 at 4:11 pm

        happy spot prawning!

        Reply
    24. Terri Gilson says

      May 24, 2021 at 8:41 pm

      I had never heard of spot prawns! If only I wasn't landlocked! But that's great advice - I won't buy them frozen (because that's all I'd likely find here) if their heads are on.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 26, 2021 at 6:12 pm

        Oh you have to try it sometime Terri! They are so sweet and delicate!

        Reply
    25. Sean says

      May 23, 2021 at 10:07 am

      Love the simple, adaptable recipe - but I'm especially delighted by all the wonderful tips you gave here. Given how expensive they've become, there's nothing worse than ending up with mushy, off-tasting, or otherwise disappointing spot prawns! I'm especially glad you made the notes about buying them head-on. Cheers, and thanks!

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 26, 2021 at 6:13 pm

        Hi Sean - i'm so glad you find the tips helpful! I am still shocked that stores would sell the spotties with head on! Hope you've enjoyed a few during the spot prawn sesaon!

        Reply
    26. Colleen says

      May 19, 2021 at 9:14 am

      We are super fans of BC spot prawns and eagerly await them every year! Thanks for all the great cooking tips!

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 19, 2021 at 4:49 pm

        Hi Colleen - what's your favourite way to cook these?

        Reply
    27. Laura Kitamura says

      May 19, 2021 at 8:30 am

      I’ve always been intimidated to make these at home but I think after reading your recipe I can do it! The sauce sounds great as well!

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 19, 2021 at 4:49 pm

        Hi Laura - don't be! there are the easiest thing to cook!

        Reply
    28. amyg says

      May 18, 2021 at 3:49 pm

      I love shellfish. Your instructions are so detailed I was able to follow them step by step when making my prawns. Thanks

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 19, 2021 at 4:50 pm

        me too!! i'm so glad i'm not allergic to them!! ENJOY!

        Reply
    29. Bernice Hill says

      May 18, 2021 at 1:01 pm

      So many great tips here Nancy! One of these years I'll be in Vancouver for spot prawn season and I can't wait!!

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 18, 2021 at 1:54 pm

        Hopefully soon we can all travel soon! and you don't want to miss Spot Prawns 🙂

        Reply

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