Buy Tobacco Leaf Online | Whole Leaf Tobacco

Some of the simple things that make summer "Summer"

Status
Not open for further replies.

FmGrowit

Head Honcho
Staff member
Joined
May 17, 2011
Messages
5,281
Points
113
Location
Freedom, Ohio, United States
Personally, my summer would not be "Summer" if I didn't have at least a few soft shell crab sandwiches. I got hooked on them when I was a little kid on vacation in Ocean city Maryland. There was a laps in the years I had another, but a deep sea fishing trip out of Chincoteague Virginia reintroduced me to them. That same year, my first child was born and several years later, My family would make annual pilgrimages to the Chincoteague. There used to be a place called Melvin's seafood shop that made the absolute best soft crab sandwiches anywhere. As year went on, our first stop upon arriving at on the island would be at Melvin's.

crab.jpg

While on vacation, we used to explore the area and do some sight seeing. We discovered a little town called Saxis Island where an older gentleman made hot sauce. The Fulcanelli pepper sauce or Saxis Island Hot sauce on the crab was fantastic. One year, we went to buy more sauce and found out the it wasn't being made anymore, but a local shop keeper had a little stock left...I bought every bottle and still have some left. I checked the date on on of the bottles today...8-99, and it's still good.

The only thing I'm missing from making the entire Chincoteague soft crab experience complete is a can of Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer. It's just a cheap regional brand of soda pop, but I can't get it in Ohio, so an ice cold Mug rootbeer gets me close to being back on the island.

Now that my kids have grown we don't do family vacations anymore, but the ritual of soft crab sandwiches takes us right back to Chincoteague.

What are some of the things that make your summer "Summer"?
 
Last edited:

Jitterbugdude

Moderator
Founding Member
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
4,266
Points
113
Location
Northeast Maryland
Well why didn't you say something earlier Don? I grew up crabbing the Chesapeake in the 60's with my dad. I'll pick you up some PA Dutch Birch Beer next weekend. I live on the fringe of Amish land and take a trip every weekend up there to get raw goat and cow milk, and of course... whoopie pies! And by the way, I pass miles and miles of Amish tobacco fields! Something I want to talk to them about one day. I noticed all their fields are full of blooms and I see no attempt at anyone topping them.

Randy B

Oh and I forgot.. the best thing about summer is getting Chesapeake Bay HARD crabs steamed with tons of crab seasoning on them and eating them with some fresh picked corn. That comes a close second to going to Ocean City and checking out all the babes in bikinis!
 
Last edited:

FmGrowit

Head Honcho
Staff member
Joined
May 17, 2011
Messages
5,281
Points
113
Location
Freedom, Ohio, United States
Ah yes, picking crabs. There's no doubt it is an art form only understood after years of practice. My favorite saying while picking crabs is "I firmly believe a person can starve to death while picking crabs" ;) I have to agree with the sweet corn too, but here in northern Ohio, we're spoiled with some of the best sweet corn grown in the world. It's tough to ship though and with the field losses this spring, I wouldn't be surprised to see it at $5 a dozen when it finally comes in.

Jitterbugdude said:
I'll pick you up some PA Dutch Birch Beer
This could be another good thread. "What are your local seasonal specialties"...actually, that would make a good forum. People specializing in shipping local products unavailable outside a certain area.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top