The Crab in The Mussel...

[MineralMan]

A few years back, my wife and I went with another couple to a highly-praised Italian restaurant for dinner. This was back when we were making a helluva lot more money that we are now, so we went for the expensive appetizers and the nice wine and all that good stuff. I don't remember what everyone ordered, but the woman of the other couple ordered a lovely dish of linguine with mussels. The mussels were very nice ones from Australia or New Zealand. I think I got the Osso Buco, which is always a mistake, but I keep ordering it, expecting different results each time. I'm like that. I'm often disappointed. I remember wishing I had ordered the mussels.

Anyhow, we were all drinking our Pinot Grigio and eating our lovely food, when the woman with the mussels suddenly let out a little shriek (a quiet little shriek, since we were in public, and it wouldn't do to alarm the other diners). I politely asked her, "WTF?"

She handed me her plate, pointing at one of the mussels. I had a look. Inside the shell of the mussel, along with the succulent looking flesh of the bivalve, was a small green ball. Now... there were no peas on the menu, but the ball was about that size. So, I fished it out of the mussel with a fork and put my reading glasses on so I could take a closer look.

It was a tiny crab, of all things. Cooked to a turn, along with the mussel. A pea crab, to be exact, and one of a lovely green color. I had seen these little commensal crabs, several species of which share space inside a variety of clams, mussels, and other bivalves, before, but never at dinner. I explained what it was to my quietly shrieking friend, but briefly. Then, I popped the little crustacean in my mouth and ate it. Not much flavor, but no matter. Another tiny shriek emerged from my friend. I passed her plate back to her and said, "If you find another one, just let me know."

Moral: Sometimes you get a little extra something at no extra charge.

P.S. - I'm sure there's some political analogy in this. If you find it, please let me know...I seem to have lost it.

[slackmaster]

1. Those are pretty common in oysters

Much more than are pearls.

:hi:

[MineralMan]

4. Pearls are OK, but I wouldn't have eaten that. I think I prefer the

little crab. Pearls have no protein. Some are of great price, though.

[Canuckistanian]

2. I'd never heard of a Pea Crab - I looked it up

Doesn't look too appetizing - but there's probably not enough there to taste like anything.

[MineralMan]

3. Yah, that's the little feller...or perhaps a second cousin.

As I said, not much flavor, but a bit of a crunch.

[depakid]

5. Sometimes, there's a deadly little bastard in there, too

[MineralMan]

7. Somehow, I doubt that pretty little octopus would fit into a mussel.

I don't know. Is that a toxic species? I've certainly eaten octopus, but I've never seen one with those markings.

[depakid]

9. They're often tiny- and yes, they will (and do) find food & shelter inside of a mussel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-ringed_octopus

[MineralMan]

12. It just occurred to me that the little crab was just along for the

ride with that mussel, sponging off the mussel for shelter and probably food. For its trouble, it got cooked, so just being along for the ride can be dangerous, it seems. On the other hand, it did cause some distress for at least one other creature.

I'm still not sure what it all means, though.

[scarletwoman]

6. Can't find a political analogy. All I can come up with is: if you have crabs you're never alone.

Sorry. :P

[MineralMan]

8. I'm sure there must be an analogy in there...

Somewhere.

[scarletwoman]

11. Well, it's useful if one wants to use the Royal "We", I suppose.

As in, "We are not amused."

:)

[USArmyParatrooper]

10. I can't find a political reference, but there must be one because..

I tried to rec this hilarious story and you've apparently been getting unrecs. Either that or there are some juveniles who don't like you. But no matter, thanks for sharing!

I guess when you're trying to get muscles be careful not to end up with crabs!

[Liberal_in_LA]

13. ewwww n/t

[MineralMan]

14. Was that a quiet little shriek?

:rofl:

[AwakeAtLast]

15. The crab is the Tea Party riding along with the Republican party

and both got cooked. How'd I do? :shrug:

BTW, that means you ate the Tea Party. :evilgrin:

:hi:

[MineralMan]

16. Never thought about that. Good catch.

And, if I ate the Tea Party, the final result is clear. The Tea Party will be eliminated, in the end.