The hunt for red crawfish is the thing, the raison d'etre, of Acadian spring. Introduced to Louisiana by the swamp dwellers of the Atchafalaya Basin, the crawfish is a regional favorite that has spurred a $210 million industry. Whole families work at the same fisheries, and annual crawfish festivals dominate the social calendar. More importantly, no matter the occasion, folks take their boils seriously: they'll endure line cutters, heat and humidity, mosquitoes and high gas prices to procure crawfish for their families' annual backyard boils or their corporate picnics. Join author Sam Irwin as he tells the story--complete with recipes and tall tales--of Louisiana's favorite crustacean: the crawfish.

The hunt for red crawfish is the thing, the raison d'etre, of Acadian spring. Introduced to Louisiana by the swamp dwellers of the Atchafalaya Basin, the crawfish is a regional favorite that has spurred a $210 million industry. Whole families work at the same fisheries, and annual crawfish festivals dominate the social calendar. More importantly, no matter the occasion, folks take their boils seriously: they'll endure line cutters, heat and humidity, mosquitoes and high gas prices to procure crawfish for their families' annual backyard boils or their corporate picnics. Join author Sam Irwin as he tells the story--complete with recipes and tall tales--of Louisiana's favorite crustacean: the crawfish.

In any given year, the Louisiana crawfish harvest tops 50,000 tons. The Amazing Crawfish Boat chronicles the development of an amphibious boat that transformed the Louisiana prairies into alternating fields of aquaculture and agriculture. In seeking to understand how such a machine came into being, John Laudun describes the ideas and traditions that have long been a part of the Louisiana landscape and how they converged at a particular moment in time to create a new economic opportunity for both the rice farmers who used them and the fabricators who made them. Walking fields with farmers and working in shops with fabricators, Laudun gives readers a rich portrait of the Louisiana prairies and the people who live and work on them. The Amazing Crawfish Boat seeks to unearth the complex mix of folk cultures that underlie a variety of traditions that are now seen as native to an area populated not just by Cajuns but also by Germans and other groups. Over the years, this diverse mix of cultures has produced an astonishing set of artifacts that demonstrate not only their ability to adapt, but their ability to innovate, and the crawfish boat is a great example of such creativity produced by individuals deeply embedded in their culture and place. While the lives of artists and scientists have been examined for what they tell us about innovation, The Amazing Crawfish Boat seeks to address creativity as part of a larger cultural complex of ideas and behaviors. To ascertain this inventiveness, Laudun examines the historical and cultural trends that led to this creation, drawing from archives, oral histories, and ethnographic accounts. He investigates the shops and sheds where farmers and fabricators work, revealing the immense imagination and intelligence that lie behind the bolts, welds, and hydraulic lines that hold the boats together and, in so doing, hold a way of life together.

This compendium of crawfish information offers biological facts and scores of home-style recipes. The Louisiana seafood industry--past and present--is discussed and a fascinating essay about a day in the life of a crawfisher is included. Jerald Horst has worked in the seafood industry and he and his wife have collected and tested crawfish recipes for decades. From the birth of the crawfish industry in the 1800s to present-day obstacles to commercial fishing, this encyclopedic cookbook provides an abundance of history as well as recipes, health information, and Louisiana culture. Highlights include the mudbug's popularity explosion in the 1950s, an illustrated guide to peeling the crustacean, and "Four Star" recipes for Crawfish Omelets and Delta Crispy Crawcakes.

Everyone in Louisiana knows something about crawfish -- especially how tasty they can be when boiled with just the right combination of spices. Yet these small crustaceans -- known as "crayfishes" by scientists and "mudbugs" by many fishermen -- offer more than a delicious meal. In Crawfishes of Louisiana, Jerry G. Walls identifies the state's thirty-nine types of crawfishes, explains their biology, and explores their importance in Louisiana's history, culture, and economy. Walls briefly describes each species and subspecies of crawfish currently known to live in Louisiana, as well as their natural history and complicated breeding biology. Detailed illustrations depict pertinent taxonomic features, color photographs of living specimens aid in identification, and maps indicate species distribution throughout the state. Two identification keys further assist users in classifying any crawfish they encounter. Drawing on his experiences collecting crawfishes over the past fifty years, Walls explores changes in their populations and in the environmental health of their habitats. In the early part of the twentieth century, many Louisianans thought eating crawfish outside of Lent was an embarrassing admission of poverty. Now crawfish is a celebrated delicacy in restaurants and at festivals offering crawfish boils, crawfish races, crawfish cook-offs -- even the election of a crawfish queen and court. Crawfish provide recreational fishing opportunities in ditches and lakes across southern and central Louisiana, and commercial fishermen net roughly 70,000 tons of crawfish each year and process them in a fishery employing over 2,500 people. Walls offers insights into all of these areas along with cooking tips and recipes and, at the other extreme, instructions for keeping crawfish as pets. Crawfishes of Louisiana is an invaluable and enjoyable resource for all fans of this famous Louisiana crustacean.

Crawfish are an integral part of Louisiana's culture and cuisine. These freshwater crustaceans, also known as mudbugs, are a staple in many Louisiana dishes. Crawfish boils, étouffée, gumbo, and jambalaya are just a few of the famous dishes that feature this favorite Louisiana ingredient. If you're a fan of crawfish-or just curious about the taste-Crawdaddy's Cookbook: 93 Ways to Enjoy Louisiana's Finest Crawfish is the perfect introduction to this popular ingredient. Crawdaddy's Cookbook is a comprehensive guide to cooking with crawfish. This cookbook includes 93 delicious recipes that showcase the versatility and unique flavor of Louisiana crawfish. From classic Cajun dishes to more innovative takes on crawfish, this cookbook has something for everyone. This cookbook features a variety of appetizers, main courses, sides, and even desserts. You'll find classic Louisiana dishes like crawfish étouffée and crawfish gumbo, as well as more modern takes on crawfish like crawfish mac and cheese and crawfish pizza. The book also includes recipes for crawfish cakes, fritters, dips, and soups. And for those with a sweet tooth, the cookbook includes crawfish bread pudding and crawfish cheesecake. What sets this cookbook apart is the detailed information it provides on cooking and preparing crawfish. The book begins with a brief history of crawfish in Louisiana and the various methods of catching and cooking them. The author covers everything from how to select the best crawfish at the market to how to clean and prepare them for cooking. There are also step-by-step instructions on boiling crawfish, as well as tips for grilling, frying, and baking them. The recipes in Crawdaddy's Cookbook are easy to follow and include helpful tips and variations. Whether you're an experienced cook or a novice in the kitchen, you'll have no trouble creating these tasty dishes. Each recipe includes a list of ingredients, clear instructions for preparation, and a beautiful photo that showcases the finished product. Crawdaddy's Cookbook is written by a crawfish-loving Louisiana native, who brings a deep knowledge and passion for the ingredient to the cookbook. The author has spent years perfecting these recipes and offers unique twists on classic Louisiana dishes. Her love for crawfish is evident in the attention to detail and the enthusiasm that she brings to each recipe. In addition to the recipes, this cookbook also includes information on pairing wines with crawfish dishes, as well as a list of Louisiana festivals that celebrate crawfish. It's clear that the author wants readers to not only enjoy her recipes but to also appreciate the cultural significance of crawfish in Louisiana. Overall, Crawdaddy's Cookbook: 93 Ways to Enjoy Louisiana's Finest Crawfish is an excellent addition to any cookbook collection. From classic Louisiana dishes to more modern takes on crawfish, this cookbook has something for everyone. With its easy-to-follow recipes, comprehensive information on cooking and preparing crawfish, and beautiful photographs, this cookbook is a must-have for anyone who loves Louisiana cuisine.

While fishing on the bayou, Maurice sees a little blue crawfish drop a watch, follows him down a crawfish hole, and embarks on an adventure reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's Alice's adventures in Wonderland.

Only in the Bayou State do Louisianans travel door to door on horseback collecting gumbo ingredients for Mardi Gras gatherings. Residents compete in egg pâquer contests to see who can crack their opponent's Easter egg first. Louisiana is a place where frequent collisions with natural disasters can inspire a drink like Pat O'Brien's famous hurricane. And the state's history is filled with colorful figures like Governor Earl K. Long, whose wife committed him to a mental institution--only for him to use his political pull to inspire his own release. Elsewhere these accounts may seem odd or farfetched, but it all happens in Louisiana. Join author Sam Irwin as he details these intriguing Pelican State stories with pithy observations, humorous asides and droll determinations.