For the American lobster, the Homarus americanus, it’s nothing more than a shell game. Come late spring, soft-shell lobster has no idea its newly shed hard shell will ready its meat to stuff a baked roll prized by millions. But there you have it. For many who visit Maine, no trip is complete without a taste of that meat. Whether experiencing it in a lobster roll or an old-fashioned lobster feed, chances are a soft-shell lobster will be served, not a hard-shell lobster. It’s not that there is much of a taste difference between hard-shell and soft-shell lobsters. It’s less a matter of flavor than a matter of texture. No, the chances favor devouring a soft-shell lobster rather than a hard-shell related to the time of year.
What Does Soft-Shell Lobster Mean?
Soft-shell lobster season runs throughout the summer when there are more visitors to Maine, and the demand is at its peak. The full soft-shell season lasts through the late fall, accounting for approximately 80% to 85% of the annual landings.
The density of a lobster’s shell, distinguishing a hard-shell from a soft-shell lobster, depends on the time of year. During winter, a lobster’s shell will fully harden, allowing it to grow comfortably into its shell. The lobsters migrate offshore into the Gulf of Maine’s deeper, relatively warmer waters to grow into their shells. When summer approaches and coastal water temperatures warm, lobsters migrate back inshore to molt. Lobsters wiggle out of their hard shells to grow into their newer, larger soft shells.
The water temperature is essential in shedding the older hard shell for the newer soft shell—the molting process. For lobsters to grow and manage their growth rate, it is determined by the temperature of the water. The warmer coastal waters are necessary for lobsters to molt and grow. Over the summer months and into November, the lobster’s shell will remain soft for the lobster to grow into it.
Soft-shell lobsters offer a handful of differences in contrast to hard-shell when it comes to the quality and quantity of lobster meat. Concerning their body weight, the shells of soft-shell lobsters are larger to allow the lobster room to grow into the shell over the winter months. That larger shell area fills with water, which marinates the meat, making it tender and giving it a sweeter, saltier taste. It also makes soft-shell lobster more watery with up to 30% less meat than comparably sized hard-shells. The tender, sweeter meat is ideal for stuffing rolls with lobster.
Is there a “best way” to cook soft-shell lobsters?
It’s relative. They can be boiled, steamed, or grilled. When looking for recipes, remember that less time is necessary to cook a soft-shell lobster than a hard-shell lobster because of the less meat within the shell.
When boiling, a 1- to 1¼-pound soft-shell lobster takes approximately 13 minutes, and a 1½-pound will take 17 minutes.
When steaming, cook about 15 minutes for a 1- to 1¼-pound soft-shell lobster and 17 minutes for a 1½-pound soft-shell lobster. If the lobster has a soft shell, reduce the cooking time by 3 minutes.
Whether boiling or steaming, the lobsters will turn bright red when cooked. When grilling, the lobster must be parboiled for 5 minutes, then sliced down the middle before placing it on the grill flesh side.
Grill the lobster for 5 or 6 minutes or until the flesh looks opaque. Turn the lobsters over and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, basting with oil.
Hard-Shell or Soft-Shell?
Lobsters shed their shells as they grow—in the first 6 to 7 years, as many as 25 times. As they mature, males will shed annually and females every other year. When lobsters become older and larger, they molt even less frequently. Chances are, the lobster you dine during the summer or fall will be a newly shed, soft shell, but no matter the time of year, it will be just as tasty.
Klenda Seafood offers the freshest soft-shell lobster in Portland, Maine! Order Maine lobster from Klenda Seafood, fresh and delivered directly to your door. We also offer curbside pick-up at our South Portland location if you live locally – call for details and to place your order over the phone! Contact us— we would be happy to answer any of your questions.