North Carolina

This fresh catch from North Carolina waters is shrimply delicious

Published

1 year ago

July 23, 2023

This fresh catch from North Carolina waters is shrimply delicious

It’s not surprising that shrimp are the nation’s most popular seafood. They are easy to cook, tasty, and can be eaten alone or in a variety of dishes.

Best of all, shrimp are one of the signature seafoods from North Carolina waters. According to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, in 2021 9.1 million pounds valued at $24.6 million were harvested along the coast.

Shrimp are very versatile and can be used in many ways. Quality frozen shrimp caught outside are available in grocery stores and frozen local shrimp can be found at fish markets.

If you want to take advantage of local shrimp, you need to know how to select them, and how to keep them fresh until you are ready to use them. Here’s some of my tips and tricks:

Purchase shrimp from a reputable fishmonger or seafood market. Be sure to ask the professionals any questions you may have, including the origin of the shrimp, and the date caught.

Know that much shrimp in markets — even local — may have been flash-frozen on the ship as they were caught to preserve freshness, then thawed at the market. This is common practice and is fine. Also know that fresh-caught frozen shrimp may be sold; just thaw and use.

Photo by Patrick Evans-Hylton/Freelance

Shrimp are one of the favorite signature seafoods from North Carolina waters. One of my favorite ways to enjoy shrimp is atop my pasta carbonara. Photo by Patrick Evans-Hylton/Freelance

Look for shrimp that look fresh, and have a clean, ocean/salty aroma to them. Avoid shrimp that smells like ammonia.

Shrimp should be firm, and not soft to the touch. If they haven’t been peeled, shells should not feel slimy.

It’s best to use fresh shrimp the day you purchase them, if not keep them in the wrapper from the seafood market and place in the coldest part of your refrigerator. If purchasing fresh-frozen, keep frozen until ready to use.

Know that shrimp are sold by size. The market will tell you how many shrimp there are in a pound; the higher the number, the smaller the shrimp, and the smaller the number, the larger the shrimp. You’ll want different sized shrimp for different dishes, usually medium or larger for entrees and medium or small for salads. Here’s a guideline:

Colossal shrimp has 16 to 20 shrimp per pound
Jumbo shrimp has 21 to 30 shrimp per pound
Large shrimp has 31 to 40 shrimp per pound
Medium shrimp has 41 to 60 shrimp per pound
Small shrimp has 71 to 90 shrimp per pound

One of the most versatile ways to prepare shrimp is to boil. Here’s how:

Fill a large pot with 3/4 gallons water and add 1 teaspoon coarse salt. Cut a lemon in half, squeeze the lemon in the pot of water, and toss in the fruit. Bring the water to a boil.

If you want to use the shrimp chilled, while the pot of water is boiling, fill a large bowl with ice and water; set aside.

Add 1 pound deveined medium or large shrimp to the boiling water and cook 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turns bright pink. Watch carefully and do not overcook. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and use right away, or if you want to use them chilled, immediately plunge them into the ice water to stop cooking.

If using the shrimp hot, toss with desired seasoning, or leave plain. Serve with or without shells (and head) removed, leaving tails.

For chilled shrimp, once cooled, remove shells (and head) if applicable, leaving tails, and place on a platter; pat dry with paper toweling. Keep chilled in the refrigerator until use. Before use, toss with desired seasoning, or leave plain.

Kari Pugh
A shrimp trawler off the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Photo by Kari Pugh

One of my favorite ways to enjoy shrimp is atop my Pasta Carbonara. Here perfectly prepared pasta is bathed in a rich sauce of white wine, Italian cheeses, and sassy seasonings studded with thin strips of country ham. If you’d like a few of my favorite shrimp recipes, including Pasta Carbonara with Shrimp, as well as my method on grilling or pan-sauteing shrimp, email me at PatrickEvansHylton@gmail.com with “shrimp recipes” as the subject.

TO MARKET

Here’s our picks for fresh seafood markets-of-the-moment. We’ll highlight other markets in future OBX Eats columns.

Austin Fish Company
Fresh seafood arrives daily at Austin Fish Company from the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound. Fresh, fried, and steamed seafood is offered.
Austin Fish Company is at 3711 S. Croatan Hwy., Nags Head. Call 252-441-7412 or visit www.AustinSeafoodCo.com

Greentail’s Seafood Market and Kitchen
Greentail’s is a quaint seafood market and cafe that showcases fresh local Outer Banks seafood to take home and prepare, or enjoy dining in. Greentail’s Seafood Market and Kitchen is at 3022 S. Croatan Hwy., Nags Head. Call 252-715-6300 or visit www.GreentailsOBX.com

Whalebone Seafood Market
Each morning Whalebone Seafood Market’s own fishermen head out on the waters of the Outer Banks and bring back to the docks a new catch. Whalebone Seafood Market is at 101 Grey Eagle St., Nags Head. Call 252-441-8808 or visit www.WhaleboneSeafood.com

Seafood seasonality: Good eats on the OBX

There’s always some good eats from the waters around the Outer Banks, regardless of the season. With information from North Carolina Sea Grant and other sources, here’s our list of what to look for in market and in restaurants:

SPRING

Blue Crab, hard
Blue Crab, soft
Bluefish
Clams
Croaker
Flounder
Grouper
Kingfish
Oysters
Sea Bass
Sea Trout, Spotted
Snapper
Tilefish
Triggerfish
Tuna

SUMMER

Blue Crab, hard
Clams
Grouper
Mackerel, Spanish
Mahi-Mahi
Sea Bass
Sea Trout, Spotted
Snapper
Spot
Tilefish
Triggerfish
Tuna

AUTUMN

Blue Crab, hard
Blue Crab, soft
Clams
Flounder
Grouper
Kingfish
Mackerel, Spanish
Mullet
Oysters
Sea Bass
Sea Trout, Spotted
Shrimp
Snapper
Spot
Striped Bass
Tilefish
Triggerfish
Tuna

WINTER

Blue Crab, hard
Bluefish
Clams
Croaker
Flounder
Grouper
Kingfish
Mackerel, King
Oysters
Scallop, Bay
Sea Bass
Sea Trout, Spotted
Shrimp
Snapper
Striped Bass
Tilefish
Triggerfish
Tuna

Patrick Evans-Hylton, PatrickEvansHylton@gmail.com

Source link

North Carolina

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

Published

3 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical depression over Cuba. It’s expected to become a tropical storm later Saturday, bringing impacts to the Carolinas around the middle of next week.

Heavy rainfall and flooding are the primary impacts expected, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

“Gusty winds are also possible, but it is too early to predict specific impacts in great detail at this time,” the weather service said.

At the same time, there is the potential for heavy rainfall and some flooding associated with front expected to stall inland this weekend.

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the center of the tropical depression, which would be name Debby if it becomes a tropical storm, was over Cuba and moving west-northwest near 15 mph. The hurricane center said a turn toward the northwest is forecast for Saturday, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastwardmotion Sunday night and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph. Slow strengthening is expected throughout the day Saturday. Faster strengthening is possible Sunday, with the storm nearing hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

STORM TRACKER: Monitor the latest tropical developments here.

Here’s a look at what we can expect in the Wilmington area, according to the latest briefing from the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

Wind

The probability of tropical storm force winds has increased, especially for the South Carolina coast. The most likely time of arrival of for northeast South Carolina is Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and for Southeastern North Carolina is during Wednesday morning.

Rain

The potential for significant rainfall exists with 8 to 12 inches possible from near Cape Fear to portions of thenortheast South Carolina coast. Flash flooding and urban flooding are possible. Some rivers, including the North Cape Fear River and the Waccamaw River, could exceed flood stage next week.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Enter your address to see hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed nearby

Marine impacts

Rough surf, including dangerous rip currents, and hazardous marine conditions are expected this weekend and will persist into the upcoming week.

Are you prepared for a hurricane?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the NC coast, it’s never too early to be prepared.

GET READY: Are you prepared for a hurricane? Here’s what to know if you live in the Wilmington area.

Source link

North Carolina

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

Published

10 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

As of the 5 AM update Friday, Tropical Depression Four has formed. Areas along the East Coast including North Carolina need to continue monitoring this system. Winds are at 30 MPH and gusts are up to 40 MPH. The pressure dropped to 1009 mb and is moving to the west at 16 mph. TD 4 is expected to become Tropical Storm Debby over the weekend. Tuesday night and Wednesday are First Alert Weather Days due to the threat to ENC from this system but we may need to adjust the timing as we get closer.

The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center continues to show ENC in the cone of uncertainty.(WITN)

It’ll move slowly before escaping to the north next week. As it moves up the East Coast, there’s a lot more uncertainty about the track and threats. We expect the track of this system to change through the weekend and even into next week. If ENC sees impacts from this system, they’d likely come mid-week. The longer this system stays over land, the weaker it’ll be. It’ll have the chance to strengthen if it moves back over open water, especially if it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

Storms are possible Saturday through Monday as a developing tropical system gets closer.(WITN)

The speed of this system is just as important as the strength. The quicker it moves through, the less rain piles up. If it slows down or stalls, higher rainfall amounts would be expected. Our river levels have dropped a bit since July’s wet weather, but levels are still higher than what you’d find in a typical August.

What We Know, What We Don't — What We Know, What We Don’t(WITN)

This is a reminder that we are heading into the heart of the hurricane season and to make sure your emergency supplies are ready.

Stay with WITN and WITN.com as we continue to track this system over the coming days and monitor the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

Source link

North Carolina

Alabama man on work trip stops to buy $3 quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot

Published

17 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Alabama man on work trip stops to buy quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot

Christopher Baker of Leesburg, Alabama was on a work trip in Hickory, North Carolina, when he thought he’d try his luck on a lotto game. It turned out to be a lucrative Powerball win.

An Alabama man on a work trip in North Carolina bought a $3 Quick Pick Powerball ticket on a whim and walked away with a six-figure windfall.

Christopher Baker of Leesburg in northeastern Alabama bought his lucky ticket in July in Hickory, North Carolina, where had been traveling for work, according to Powerball.

When the numbers were drawn, Baker says he had to do a double-take when he realized he had a $100,000 winning ticket. He had matched four white balls and the red Powerball, which would have been $50,000, but a 2X multiplier doubled the win and the disbelief.

“I just kept looking at it to make sure I was reading it right,” he laughed, according to Powerball. “I told my family but they didn’t believe me. either.”

Baker, who called his win “a shocker.” said he plans to save his winnings to buy a house.

Baker will take home $71,501 after federal and state taxes are withheld.

How to play the Powerball

In order to purchase a $2 Powerball ticket, you’ll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.

To play, you will need to pick six numbers in total to mark on your ticket. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from numbers 1 to 69. The Powerball is red and one number which is between 1 and 26.

If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can add a “Power Play” for $1 which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. This addition can multiply winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.

Players can also ask a cashier for a “Quick Pick” where a cashier will give you a computer generated numbers on a printed Powerball ticket.

Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If there’s no jackpot winner, the cash prize will increase by millions.

Where to purchase tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

Source link