An Intrinsic Love for The Crawfish
Capturing Magic with a Boiling Pot
I’ve always had a love for awesome food. My father took me on fishing and hunting trips teaching me the ways of a South Louisiana Sportsman. My mother had me help her cook as soon as I was able to sit on the counter without falling off. As I got older, I continued to learn more of the “art” of Cajun cooking and the mix of cultures in Cajun country. Growing up and living in Louisiana I took so much for granted. I did not truly understand what I had until I left Louisiana.
The areas in and around the Reno/Sparks area are a sportsman’s paradise in itself. I meet people every day who talk about hunting and fishing. I started Sacks Crawfish because I wanted to bring the culture of South Louisiana here. A common ground for people to meet and tell stories while enjoying a wonderful meal. Let’s make the most of what this area has to offer and let me help you create your own magical memories with family and friends.
Whether it’s a graduation, wedding, new baby, family portrait or other event, I’d be delighted to supply you with live crawfish. Sacks Crawfish specializes in helping you bring your own family traditions into a variety of crawfish based recipes that your whole family will love and remember for years to come.
Lake Tahoe Crawfish,
What’s With The Name
Pacifastacus leniusculus … well, let’s be thankful they have nicknamed it!
known as signal crawfish.
There is something like 315 species of crawfish, crayfish, crawdads, and whatever other name people call them in North America. Apparently, there is only one found in the Truckee River and that is the signal crayfish. Signal crayfish are native to the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon, Idaho and Washington. They were introduced to California and Nevada, but no one can seem to pinpoint the time or manner in which they were introduced to Tahoe. Today, they are abundant in Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River. Back to the name. This species of crawfish has a white to pale blue-green patch near the claw hinge and someone thought it resembled the white flags that signalmen for the railroad used for directing trains.
Fact: They taste good, and you can fill up on them when you learn to eat them properly. Sacks Crawfish provides peeling instructions upon request.
Procambarus clarkii… Better known as the red swamp crawfish.
What’s The Difference?
The swamp crawfish would have a tough time here because of the lower water temps. This does not make it impossible for them to survive here, just difficult and less likely. The warmer water allows the Procambarus clarkii to have a thinner shell and that makes the swamp crawfish a little easier to peel. The process of cooking is very similar, but the thickness of the Signal crawfish might make you add a little more seasoning. All species of crawfish are mostly vegetarians feeding on the green stuff that grows on rocks and trees, but it doesn’t mean they won’t take any opportunity for a little meat. Many think crawfish are “dirty” creatures from “nasty” water, but they are actually sensitive to pollution. If the water is contaminated or of poor quality they will not survive. Swamp crayfish are native to the central southeast from west Texas over to Mississippi and up into Arkansas into west Tennessee. They have been imported to many other states and have been considered invasive in their new homes. With that said they are being found all over so don’t think they can’t live in cold areas because they are in Lake Michigan.
When you are buying crawfish there are two typical classifications, wild caught and farm raised. Wild is just that, they are harvested from natural areas such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and so on. Farmed are usually raised in ponds and are part of a dual use system for also growing rice. The swamp crawfish were introduced to California so you can get the red swamp crawfish from some of the rice farmers but the season usually starts around June and harvested in September. This differs from the southeast season beginning around January to March and ending around June like in the Gulf region.
Fact: If you suck the heads, the brains will not come out.
Crawfish in General
You can’t have the complete boiled crawfish experience without the potatoes, corn on the cob, lemons, onions, and garlic. You can always add your favorites to the pot. There are all sorts of crawfish-based dishes other than just boiled: Gumbo, Étouffée, Bisque, fried, etc. The possibilities are limited only to the imagination!
Over the years, I’ve developed a good feel for creating exceptional dishes for the pallet. Whether you need fresh ideas to revamp an old boring menu or just want a Cajun themed event, Sacks Crawfish will deliver the food you need to create social dining events for a lifetime.
Creating Special Moments
Bayou Some Crawfish
A special event is something we look back on for years to come, remembering the good times we’ve had and the wonderful people with whom we’ve shared our lives. In so many cultures, those special events involve food and loved ones. Upon request, Sacks Crawfish will provide ideas to help you capture the magic.