How To Clean Whole Shrimp
The process of cleaning shrimp is as important as the way you cook it. Start by gathering the necessary equipment and utilities.
Required Tools and Materials
Plastic bag
Colander
Gloves (optional)
Shrimp
Plastic toothpick
Rinsing the Shrimp
The first step is to thaw the shrimp. Use warm water. Don’t use a microwave to thaw a shrimp; you might end up cooking it outright.
Take Out the Unneeded Parts
Hold the shrimp in the middle section. Hold the head and just pull it. Take out any other parts you don’t want to cook. You can also take out the feet. These are underneath the shrimp. They look a little bit like grass.
Continue cleaning shrimp by removing the tail. Discard the outer shell as well. Some people like to keep the shell on; it’s up to you. Put them in the plastic bag and dispose of it.
Removing the Veins
The vein is that dark string in the back of the shrimp. You can use toothpick to take the string out. A knife will also do the job. If it’s too difficult, get a deveiner to do it for you. If possible, have it removed as you buy the shrimp.
Put the shrimp in the colander bowl. Rinse it with cool water. This step is necessary to eliminate any leftover feet or other undesirable pieces. Set it on a separate bowl after cleaning shrimp.
Other Methods
Here’s another method you can try. Prepare a couple of bowls of ice. The first is to store the pre-peeled ones. The other is for the skinned shrimp. Grab the shrimp with both hands. Place your thumb beneath the point where the head terminates. Press your thumb deeper until the shell comes off.
Continue this movement all the way around. Pull it off carefully. Take your time doing this so the meat doesn’t come off. You can take out the tail or you can just leave it on. Its presence won’t affect the taste of the meat.
Get a knife and make a small cut as you are cleaning shrimp. Cut from the tail up to the dark string. Use the knife to remove the string. This is the one part that shouldn’t be left in; it will make the shrimp taste very bitter. You can use the knife to pull it out or your fingers.
Tips and Warnings
Be very careful when using the knife. When prying off the parts, try to be firm but gentle. Too much force might damage the meat.
There are stores that sell cleaned and peeled shrimp.
Also note that some recipes call for the head to be present. Some Asian cuisines leave the head on. There are also African and European meals that call for the head to remain with the body. Those who have tasted the head say it is one of the most sumptuous parts of the shrimp.
When cleaning shrimp, always take note of the recipe you’re making. This way, you’ll know exactly what to take out and what to leave on.
