Crawfish in New Orleans
If your vacation to New Orleans is in the spring, you’ll be in the Big Easy for the peak of crawfish season. You’ll find crawfish dishes served in New Orleans year round, but in the springtime, in true New Orleans fashion, crawfish are served as a party. Crawfish boils are a true South Louisiana tradition, and you don’t want to miss getting your hands on some fresh crawfish on your trip to New Orleans!
What is a crawfish boil?
Crawfish boils are the universal sign throughout Southern Louisiana that spring has arrived, and it’s time to celebrate good food with good times and good company. Simply put, live crawfish are boiled in seasoned water with sides such as corn, potatoes, or mushrooms. The party starts when the fire is lit on the pot. There’s often music, beer or cocktails, and friends and family gathered to await the feast. When it’s ready, the crawfish and sides are dumped in the middle of the table lined with paper for folks to peel and enjoy for hours until the party dies out or the crawfish runs dry.
Where can you eat crawfish?
From etouffee to stuffed beignets, crawfish dishes are served at most New Orleans restaurants all year long. If you’re looking for peel and eat boiled crawfish, there are dozens of choices such as: Cooter Brown’s, Cajun Seafood, Frankie and Johnny’s, NOLA Crawfish King, and many more. If you’re looking for the crawfish boil experience, grab some boiled crawfish and local ale from a Rouses market and head to Audubon Park to enjoy your feast along the river. Good company is a key ingredient!
How do you eat crawfish?
Eating crawfish is similar to any other boiled shellfish. Grab the head, pinch the tail, and pull the crawfish apart. Pull the meat from the tail portion and eat as you go. If you want to enjoy in true New Orleanian fashion, suck the juices from the head!
Visiting New Orleans during crawfish season is a celebration all around. The weather is mild, the smell of crawfish wafts through the city, and folks are always looking for an excuse to gather and partake in fresh seafood and good company. While you’re having bold new culinary experiences, venture outside the city for new scenery and a bold adventure on a swamp zipline tour with ZipNOLA!