WHAT ARE CARABINERO PRAWNS?
One of the most sought after prawns in professional kitchens worldwide, beautiful Carabineros are a large deep-sea prawn species that hail from Eastern Atlantic into the Mediterranean Sea. Known by a plethora of names, to the Spanish and Portuguese as Carabineros, to the English as Scarlet Shrimp or Cardinal Prawns, and to the French as the Crevette Imperiale, they are renowned for their jumbo size and striking bright red colour.
Carabineros translates literally as police, reputedly because the colour of their shells matched the uniforms of Spanish customs police. Yet, their distinct red colour does not change when cooked, as does a lobster shell from blue to red when boiled. More distinct and robust in flavour than other shrimps or langoustines, they are also appreciated for their large size. While their meat is mainly concentrated in the tail, their cephalothoraxes (head and body) are not to be overlooked, and are excellent for making clear and creamed soups and sauces to which it adds flavour and red colour. None of this prawn should go to waste, as Spanish consider the flavour of their heads as a delicacy.
HOW TO PREPARE CARABINEROS?
Carabineros are traditionally prepared in Spain by simply cooking them under the grill and salting them at the end. Some suggest that they should be treated as a delicate small lobster versus a simple shrimp. Regardless, they can be poached, sauteed, steamed and are excellent in paellas and robust stews, etc. There are many Michelin star chefs that value the plate appeal of their colour and size when served whole.
HOW MANY CARABINERO PRAWNS DO I GET?
With an average weight of 1.1Kg, each box contains between 15 to 20 Carabinero prawns. Whole and head on, they are individually quick frozen on the boats to ensure their freshness. These Carabinero prawns are wild-caught in the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean (FAO 34).
HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY CARABINERO PRAWNS?
You will receive one frozen box of carabinero prawns delivered on ice pads. If you are not using the prawns straight away, store in the freezer. If you are, then you will need to thaw it in the fridge for at least 24 hours before cooking.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WEIGHTS CAN VARY FROM BOX TO BOX, SO EXPECT A SLIGHT VARIATION ON THE NUMBER OF CARABINERO PRAWNS YOUR GET.
