Deviled crab originated in Florida as a portable food for migrant workers and evolved into a plated dish with heavily spiced crab meat. Home cooks created variations like baked casseroles and loose patties. Common ingredients include mayo, mustard, herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and diced vegetables.
There are several recipes for deviled crab, which vary greatly in how they are cooked and served. The traditional version of deviled crab is a thick, breaded oval filled with crab, breadcrumbs, and spices, and deep-fried to be eaten right out of the hand. This recipe evolved into a plated dish where the crabmeat was spiced differently and the focus on being street was reduced; the crab was instead served inside its shell or in a bowl. Other variations have sprung up, mostly from home cooks, who instead created baked deviled crab casseroles or made them into loose patties that looked like crab cakes or croquettes.
Devil crab originated in Florida as a food for migrant workers. The original recipe was simple and probably formed from leftovers mixed with crab, which was very cheap and plentiful at the time. The first version that appeared had only a few ingredients, namely crab meat, bread and enchilada sauce mixed with some Latin American or Cuban spices. The mixture was formed into an oval, breaded, and then fried. The idea was to provide tasty and convenient food that could be carried and eaten at work without utensils.
The food became popular and began to be sold by street vendors. By this time the devil crab moved into bars and restaurants, mainly as an appetizer. Instead of focusing on the portability of the crab, the dish developed into a plated dish where the meat was more heavily spiced and cooked rather than deep fried in some cases. The final meal might be served on a platter, in the top shell of the crab, or in a hot ramekin. Sauces were added to complement the dish.
At home, devil crab has developed into a more family-friendly dish. Sometimes, the mixture of crab, breadcrumbs and spices was placed in a saucepan and then cooked. This has enabled large quantities to be made with minimal effort. The cooked version of the crab can be served with a number of hearty sauces or topped with melted butter and garlic.
Devilled crab in all its forms remains a popular food in Florida and surrounding areas. It can be found as an appetizer in bars and some restaurants. Common ingredients in crab recipes are usually moisturizers like mayonnaise and mustard, herbs like parsley and cilantro, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and diced vegetables like onion and green peppers.
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