Hermosillo, Mexico

SHRIMP

Shrimp is the major fishery in this part of Mexico. Almost all of the major grocery stores and seafood markets sell it in some form. There are two basic varieties. The pink shrimp (cameron) is what we usually think of as shrimp. The rock shrimp (cameron roca) has become more commonly available in recent years and it is much cheaper than the pink shrimp.

Rock shrimp are relatively small in size. They have heavy shells with sharp spines and the intestine often has a sand or grit that is very difficult to remove. The flavor, less the grit, is very good when fresh and cooked properly, but you know that you are not eating a real substitute for the shrimp that almost everyone loves to eat. Rock shrimp are usually sold after thawing. The cost is less than $2.00 a pound. Shell less rock shrimp are also available at a little higher cost. These are relatively tasteless at best and are usually the shrimp used for tostados by the stands and palapas that sell mariscos. We used to catch rock shrimp in deep water off the southeast coast of the U.S. We cooked them and ate them and they were very good except for the sand. But those that reach the local markets are tasteless at best. Again, I repeat my advice. Seafood should taste very good. If it does not, do not eat it.

Shrimp, shrimp are what most people want to eat. Hopefully, you read my pages on getting from Nogales to Hermosillo and are considering stopping at the Restaurant Elba in Santa Ana. The heaping plate of fried shrimp is enough for two or three people and is a great way to start your vacation. If you bring your own bottle of horseradish sauce you will enjoy it even more.

Fresh shrimp can be safely purchased at Sam's, Costco, Walmart, Ley and some of the smaller seafood specialties markets like Alex, Kino and Berol that I will describe on another page. The shrimp season is from September to April. During these months, the shrimp that you get is usually very fresh and has not been frozen. In other months, shrimp will usually have been frozen but if it has been handled well that will not make much difference in the flavor. Fresh shrimp is often sold from ice chests along the side of the road during the off season ... these shrimp are sold with the heads and appear to be much larger than they will actually be after that part of the body is removed. They have probably been poached or taken illegally but the prices are moderate and they are fresh.

The bigger the shrimp, the higher the cost and the greater probability of the flavor that you really want. Jumbo shrimp that run twelve to 16 to a pound cost about ten dollars a pound. Large shrimp can be half that price. Smaller ones have almost always been frozen and thawed several times and are usually tasteless. Occasionally you will encounter mixed sizes and broken shrimp. These usually sell for about the price of medium sized shrimp (four dollars a pound). These can be a great buy because of the pieces of jumbo and large shrimps they contain. There will be some that are pretty small as well.

You can catch your own shrimp as well if you are out for an adventure. Plan to spend a night at one of the isolated estuaries like Tastiota. the best Months are March, April and May. You will need to work at night and you will need a seine net or a small cast net. The seine can be worked by two people. You do not need bait. And you will probably catch large crabs, including soft crabs at the same time you catch the shrimp. You have to learn to throw the cast net and you need bait ... small pellets of Purina shrimp chow or something similar (rabbit food might work). You toss the bait into a shallow, rock free area, wait a few minutes and then make your cast. During a good night, you can get several buckets full of shrimp in a few hours. Be sure and read our pages on camping and special tools (including nets) for a really new experience at the beaches and estuaries along the gulf.

Seafood ... a first look..

SHRIMP.

Go to the HOTPAGE Do It Yourself Seafood page.

Buying crabs and crabmeat.

Catching your own crabs ... a real learning experience.

Soft Shell Crabs ... yes, they are here.

Catch and cook your own clams, mussels and snails.

Back to the HOTPAGE FOOD & DRINK index.

Comments or suggestions? Want to share your own knowledge or experiences? Send an email to nschool@nschool.org