can you eat lobster head

Can You Eat Lobster Head? The Complete Guide to Getting the Most Meat Out of Your Crustacean

Lobsters are one of the most decadent and delicious crustaceans out there Their sweet, succulent meat is a highly sought after delicacy Most people focus on the lobster tail and claws when eating this luxurious shellfish. However, there are many other parts of the lobster that are edible and can provide tasty morsels of meat. So can you eat the lobster head?

The short answer is yes, you can definitely eat the lobster head! While it may seem intimidating, the head actually contains plenty of tender meat if you know how to extract it properly. The key is using the right tools and techniques to get every last bit of goodness out of the head.

In this complete guide. we will cover everything you need to know about eating lobster head including

• The edible parts of the lobster head
• How to safely prepare and cook the head
• What kind of meat and nutrients you can find in the head
• Tips and tricks for getting the most meat out of the head
• Creative ways to serve lobster head meat

So put on your bib and get ready to crack open the secrets of this underrated part of the lobster!

The Case for Eating Lobster Head

Most people are squeamish when it comes to eating the lobster head. It looks strange and they assume there’s no meat inside. However there are actually many good reasons to eat this part of the lobster

• It contains tasty, tender meat – The head has small bits of delicious flesh inside the chambers and crevices. They may take some effort to extract, but are worth it.

• It provides texture – The meat has a unique, slightly firm texture in contrast to the richer claw and tail meat.

• It adds flavor – The tomalley (green gland) in the head has a potent seafood taste and can be used to enhance soups and sauces.

• It reduces waste – Eating the head makes use of the whole lobster and avoids throwing parts away.

• It adds adventure – Extracting the head meat is an exciting challenge for adventurous eaters.

While the claws and tail might be easier to access, lobster lovers shouldn’t ignore the tasty morsels hidden inside the head!

The Edible Parts of the Lobster Head

Okay, so the head is edible. But what exactly can you eat inside there? Here are the different parts that contain tasty meat:

• Leg Meat – The small legs sticking out of the head have sweet bits of flesh. Suck and chew it directly off the legs.

• Chamber Meat – There is meat inside the chambers and cavities of the head if you crack it open. Use a lobster pick to extract it.

• Antennae – Believe it or not, the antennae are edible! Slurp the meat right out of them.

• Mandibles – The mandibles (mouth parts) also have extractable meat inside them.

• Tomalley – The green hepatopancreas gland (tomalley) is considered a delicacy and used in sauces. Eat in moderation due to potential toxins.

• Brain – Yes, you can eat the lobster brain! It has a silky, creamy texture.

As you can see, almost every nook and cranny of the head contains edible lobster meat if you know where to look. Now let’s get into the proper techniques for preparing and cooking the head.

Preparing and Cooking the Lobster Head

It’s important to properly prep and cook the lobster head to enjoy it safely:

• Separate the Head – Once cooked, detach the head from the body by twisting and pulling. Do this immediately after cooking.

• Split and Crack – Use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to split the head in half lengthwise. Crack the chambers open with a mallet or lobster crackers.

• Remove Gills – The gills can be bitter so pull them off and discard them.

• Cook Thoroughly – Boil, steam or bake the separated head for 5-7 minutes to ensure it reaches safe internal temperatures.

• Pick Out Meat – Use a lobster pick, skewer or seafood fork to extract and pull out the meat after cooking.

• Enjoy Hot or Cold – Eat the head meat right away while hot or chilled as lobster salad.

Proper preparation like splitting, cracking and cooking the head thoroughly maximizes the tenderness of the meat and allows you to access all those flavorful morsels inside.

Meat and Nutrients in Lobster Head

The lobster head might not look like it contains much, but there is actually a good amount of meat and nutrients packed inside:

• High Protein – A 3 oz serving of lobster head meat contains about 20g of protein comparable to chicken breast. Lobster is one of the most protein-rich shellfish.

• Essential Amino Acids – The protein in the head contains all essential amino acids needed for building muscle and tissues. The brain especially has high levels.

• Omega-3s – Lobster meat has anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA for brain and heart health.

• Vitamin B12 – Just 3 oz of head meat provides over 160% your daily vitamin B12 needs which aids energy and brain function.

• Minerals – You’ll get iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus for bone strength, immunity and cardiac health.

While not as meaty as claws or tails, the head still provides excellent nutritional value in a small package. So eat up and get all those benefits!

Tips for Getting the Most Head Meat

It does take a little extra effort to extract the head meat. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to get every last bit out:

• Use a lobster pick or skewer to reach into crevices and hook meat out.

• Try breaking the head with a mallet or crackers to open up chambers.

• After cooking, let it sit 3-5 minutes for the meat to detach from shells.

• Don’t forget the legs, antennae and mandibles which often get overlooked.

• Use a toothpick or seafood fork to scrape out hidden pockets of flesh.

• Place a damp paper towel under the head to catch falling bits of meat.

Take your time picking and be diligent about poking around all the corners. Getting all the head meat can be a fun challenge!

Creative Ways to Eat Lobster Head Meat

Once you’ve put in the work to extract all that tasty head meat, here are some creative ways to eat it:

• Lobster Salad – Chill the meat and mix with mayo, lemon, and celery for a classic salad.

• Lobster Rolls – Stuff the meat into toasted, buttered buns withtarragon and chives.

• Lobster Mac and Cheese – Fold the chopped meat into cheesy baked macaroni.

• Lobster Nachos – Top corn tortilla chips with lobster meat, avocado, peppers and cheese sauce.

• Lobster Flatbread – Sprinkle head meat on naan or pizza dough with arugula and parmesan.

• Lobster Chowder – Simmer chopped head meat in a creamy base with potatoes and corn.

The firm texture of the head meat stands up well in flavorful, hearty dishes. Get creative withglobal flavors!

Don’t Waste Lobster Heads Again!

Hopefully this guide has convinced you that lobster heads deserve more attention. They require some work to extract the meat, but with the right tools and techniques you can enjoy their unique texture and ocean flavor. Lobster lovers shouldn’t let this tasty, nutritious meat go to waste! Cracking open heads is a gratifying way to reduce food waste and get the absolute most out of these decadent crustaceans. So next time you cook lobster, remember the head and put it to delicious use.