Fried Northern Shrimp

Yesterday was fish share day. We picked up the last 5 lb bag of beautifully fresh native Northern Shrimp of the season from our Community Supported Fishery. Northern shrimp are the only shrimp native to New England and from what I understand, they’re only around in the middle of winter. So this is the end of the line for us until next year. How exciting! What to do, what to do?

I decided to fry them. Northern shrimp are very sweet and you’d think breading and frying would mask their delicate flavor. Not so in this case.

A light coating of flour and panko creates just the right amount of crunch to showcase their tenderness without weighing them down in oil, and the savory seasonings complement the shrimp’s sweetness. The key is starting each batch with the oil at 375 degrees, and keeping it above 300 degrees as it fries. If the temperature slips below 300 degrees, the breading will absorb the oil rather than browning and it will become saturated. That said, these are easy to make, and the result rivals anything you’d find at your local seaside clam shack.

Fried Northern Shrimp – Serves 4 – 6

5 – 6 C Northern Shrimp, peeled with heads and tails removed (about 5 lbs whole)
1.5 C flour
1 C panko crumbs
1 t salt
3 t old bay seasoning
1.5 – 2 quarts canola oil

If purchased whole, remove

In a medium bowl mix flour, panko, salt and old bay seasoning. Dredge the shrimp in the flour mixture and shake off excess.

Arrange paper towels for draining – I like to use a baking sheet covered with one layer of paper towels, then a cooling rack and another layer of paper towels. This way the top layer absorbs oil and the lower layer catches any drips. But hey, it’s your kitchen.

Heat oil to 375 degrees in a large stockpot or fryer. Start off with about a quart and a half, and you may need to add a little bit more with each batch. Carefully drop shrimp into the oil in batches, 2 cups at a time. Adjust with a heat resistant spoon to be sure they do not stick together. Cook 1- 2 minutes. Remove with a spider or strainer and place on paper towels to drain. Let the oil get back up to 375 degrees before adding the next batch.

Serve hot with a squish of lemon and maybe a bit of tartar sauce.

Ingredient origins: Northern shrimp – the waters right outside our door; Flour – Vermont; Panko – unknown; Sea salt – Maine; Seasoning – Maryland; Canola oil – unknown

Northern Shrimp Newburg

Madeira loves Crustaceans. Oh yes. They go way back. Madeira is what brings that aromatic sweetness to Lobster bisque and Lobster Newburg.

This dish is inspired by Lobster Newburg. We used 5 lbs of freshly caught Northern Shrimp from our fish share. Feel free to substitute the shrimp for lobster, but the little red guys work just as well and have a more tender texture to boot.

Northern Shrimp Newburg – serves 4 – 6

2 shallots, diced
2 T butter
1/2 C Madeira wine
4 – 5 C Northern Shrimp, peeled with heads and tails removed
2 T flour
3/4 C light cream
salt

Melt butter over medium heat in a sauté pan or deep skillet. Add shallots and soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in Madeira, increase heat to medium high and add shrimp. Sauté for about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and, using a ladle, transfer liquid to a 2 quart saucepan. Simmer over medium high heat to reduce, about 10 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Whisk in flour one tablespoon at a time and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in cream and whisk until well incorporated.

Combine sauce with shrimp, gently stirring to incorporate any additional liquid. Season to taste.

Serve piping hot over egg noodles, rice or with a good crusty French bread.

Ingredient origins: (Oh, farmers markets, how I miss thee!) Shallots – California, Butter – Maine; Madiera wine – California; Northern Shrimp – the waters just outside our door; Flour – Vermont; Light Cream – Massachusetts