We’re already a month into summer, but lobster season is just starting to heat up. At Sullivan’s, we pride ourselves on not only serving some of the best seafood around but also knowing what makes our seafood so spectacular. So join us as we take a deeper dive into the reasons everyone wants to get their claws on our favorite summer catch – lobster.
During the summer, lobsters are in great supply because they migrate closer to the shore to be near the warmer waters, and once there, the waters trigger the lobsters to molt, or shed their shell. At this time, lobsters are referred to as “shedders.” After they molt, shedders become ravenous, eating everything in their path making them easier to catch. This explains why much of the product between July and late September is characterized by a softer, freshly molted shell.
Lobsters are designated by having either a hard or soft shell. Soft-shell lobsters are not as strong, and also tend to have less meat per pound, which makes them less expensive. However, soft-shell lobsters are sweeter, tenderer and more succulent. Hard-shell lobsters are more prominent in the later months of the season. Their shells are hard because they have yet to molt, and because of this, they have more meat.
Whether they be soft-shell or hard-shell, sauces are a particularly delicious way to elevate lobster. Chef Karl Benko shares two of his favorite summer lobster toppings.
Charred Lemon Garlic Butter
Ingredients
1 Lemon, halved
8 oz. Unsalted Butter, softened at room temperature
6 Garlic Roasted Garlic Cloves, minced
1 tsp Kosher Salt
1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 tbsp Chives, finely chopped
Recipe
1. Char lemon halves in a saute pan, cut-side down. Once cooled, juice lemon and set aside.
2. Combine charred lemon juice, butter, minced garlic, salt, cayenne pepper and chives in a mixing bowl.
3. Fold and mix ingredients until fully mixed and lemon juice is absorbed into butter.
4. Serve at room temperature.
BBQ Butter
Ingredients
8 oz. Unsalted Butter, softened at room temperature
3 tbsp Barbecue Sauce
1/2 tbsp Fresh Rosemary, finely chopped
Recipe
1. Combine all ingredients in a wide mixing bowl.
2. Fold and mix ingredients with a spatula until fully mixed.
3. Serve at room temperature.
What’s your favorite lobster dish at Sullivan’s? Tell us in the comments.
