Barnegat Bay is home to several species of crabs, but the Blue crab is the most common and sought after.
Crabs Crustaceans
Peekytoe aka Rock Crab Walking crab
The rock crab has the nickname “Peekytoe”
There are a couple of theories on how it became known as “peekytoe crab.”
Peekytoe is the slang name for these crabs in the lobster fishing villages of Maine.
Peekytoe comes from “picked toe”
‘”picked” pronounced as if it had two syllables (pick-ed) because the crab leg has a very sharp point that turns inward. ”Picked” is Maine slang for pointed
Others called them “picket toe.” The Maine accent more than likely contributed to the resulting name of “peekytoe.”
Fun Fact – Rock crabs are not to be confused with Jonah crabs (Cancer borealis)
In Maine., rock crabs which were a throwaway by-product of lobster fishing before a brilliant marketing move changed their name to “peekytoes” around 1997.
They are classified as Cancer irroratus, also known as the Atlantic Rock Crab.
Other than being a specific type of Atlantic rock crab, the other thing that sets this crabmeat apart is the care with which they are handled, cooked, and picked.
They cannot be shipped live. Picking over the meat to remove all bits of shell and strict adherence to freshness makes good pickers very much in demand by chefs.
