Steve and I were home last Friday afternoon (our day off) when the daycare director from church called to say that someone had just dropped off a 150-pound cooler full of fresh green tail shrimp with instructions to give it to Pastor Steve.
We were a bit taken aback because we had not been expecting any shrimp but hey, who were we to argue?
Our only problem in getting the shrimp home was the weight of that cooler. That is pretty much unpickup-able unless you have two or three men on the job. Steve is a mighty strong fella but his lifting partner is not known for her great feats of strength.
We stood for a while on the church parking lot and stared at the cooler full of shrimp and ice. We tried lifting it a couple of times but not wanting to risk injury to life and/or limb, we pretty quickly backed away from that plan.
It was a poser, all right, with no men around to call on for help.
But then? Inspiration struck?
And amazingly enough, it struck me. Although I am inspired plenty of times in plenty of ways, I am not usually inspired when it comes to lifting conundrums. However, something I had heard Steve discuss somewhere in our thirty-four years of marriage came lazily drifting to the forefront of my brain. I said to him, “How about if we got a board to slide the cooler on?”
Bingo! He ran inside, found a board and the two of us slid that cooler up the board, as pretty as you please.
We drove home and slid it right back down the board. We are board-certified professionals!
So that was good. We had the hard part over with.
But then we started thinking about the next step.
We are not Outer Bankers. We are not shrimp savvy. We are not seafood experts. And therefore, we were not exactly sure what to do with the multitudinous pounds of fresh shrimp that had so generously landed in our lives.
After some ponderment Steve got on the phone and called up a couple of our neighbors who have lived on the Outer Banks much longer than we have. He explained the situation and told them that if they wanted to come over and help deal with the shrimp, we would split it with them three ways.
They all figured that the shrimp would be fine overnight if it stayed in the cooler packed with ice and so the agreement was made to meet at 10:30 Saturday morning for the Great Shrimping.
I went into work at 8:30 with the plan to come home briefly to say hello to everyone and then go back to work. I had already informed Steve in no uncertain terms that I was not going to stand near the shrimp, I was not going to touch a shrimp, and (horror of horrors) I was not going to remove the head of any shrimp.
I pulled up in front of our house at about 10:45 and saw three men in my driveway, digging through the cooler, pulling out shrimp and removing their poor little heads. Ick.
And it was not just the men digging in there–it was the wives, too. The OBX-veteran, non-squeamish variety of wives.
Well. I immediately felt like North Carolina’s biggest wimp since they had their hands plunged deep into shrimp-dom and I was unwilling to even step within three feet of the creatures.
I figured the time had come to deliver to myself a stern lecture. I basically just told myself that if I was ever going to be a real Outer Banks Woman, I would have to take the head off at least one shrimp at some point in my life. (For some reason, that is called heading a shrimp, and not beheading a shrimp.)
So. That is what I did.
And just in case you are trying to picture the overall visual of Becky Smith heading shrimp, I will just cast aside my middle-aged dignity and lay it out there for you.
Here I am, hard at work in the Smith Shrimpery. I am such a girl.
You will be very proud to know that not only did I manage to remove the head from one shrimp (without passing out), I actually hung in there for an hour and “headed” multitudinous shrimp, ewwwing the whole time. In doing so, I have officially bestowed upon myself the OBX Woman Badge.
The whole experience was actually quite educational. Since I have never dealt with fresh shrimp, I was surprised by their long whiskery things, which I have to say weirded me out just a little. Also, as I smooshed my hand through the icy water to pull out each shrimp, I discovered they have some sort of sharp things on their person that kept poking me. It was not one of my favorite ways to spend time, but I did persevere!
After we had all worked our way to the bottom of the cooler, we got busy rinsing and bagging the shrimp in Ziplock bags so they could be frozen.
And just when I thought the hard work of shrimp prep was over, I was informed that most people also peel and devein their shrimp before eating. And so my neighbor got out her Trusty Official Deveiner to show me that lovely process so I could do it before cooking the shrimp. Ew. Again.
I will tell you one thing for sure: the next time I go to a restaurant and order shrimp, I will have a much greater appreciation for all the people who catch, clean, head, peel and devein them for our enjoyment.
In the meantime, Steve and I and our neighbors now have several bags of shrimp just waiting in our freezers for a good shrimp-cooking night.
And we also have the memory of time spent with neighbors, laughing, talking, getting to know each other . . . and trying not to laugh too hard at the squeamish pastor’s wife.
Good shrimp. Good people. Good times.
EEEEEWWWWWWW!!!!! I would NEVER!!! I can’t stand shrimp…any part of it. Just NO!
That being said, I’m glad you stepped up and helped out. So glad it was you and not me! Haha! ?
Lizz,
I don’t care if I ever do it again but at least I can say I did it once!
We steam them and spice them up as desired. Make a great snack to peel and eat with beer and soda. That and some edamame (more my thing)
Cath,
I have baked shrimp but never once steamed them. A new skill to learn!
becky – thanks for sharing your adventures of doing shrimp. What an awesome gift you received and how thoughtful you were to share them. I’ve only used the heads on ones for fishing bait – would not want to have to clean either. You did great! Becky
Becky,
Well, I figured I had to earn my OBX stripes! (or maybe I should say, heads!) 🙂
Hi Becky –
I’m glad you are becoming an Outer Banker! I’m jealous. Having grown up all my life around the Outer Banks, but never having lived there, I can only imagine what a wonderful place it is to live. Plus there’s just life history and all that good stuff. One thing – you used the word “girl” like it was a bad thing. It felt demoralizing when I read it. You have raised a strong girl who has become a strong woman. I mean, wickedly strong.. and you yourself are a strong woman, and I can’t imagine you weren’t a strong girl too. Why does girl have to be weak? Why does girl have the be synonymous with someone who doesn’t like to do something? Why does girl have to be something other than someone who is strong and independent, who serves God with all her heart, who loves those she loves fiercely and who would protect those same people with the same will that a lioness protects her young? I read that sentence over and over again and put all sorts of other nouns where you put “I’m such a girl” in reference to your dislike of heading shrimp. Girl is exactly what you ended up doing – someone who faces something she doesn’t like and does it anyways, and who is proud of herself. *sigh* I dream of a day when women and girls don’t have to feel a need to think they are anything but amazing.
Hi Brooke,
It’s nice to have a reader who has experienced the amazingness of the OBX for herself; I know you can picture so many of the places and activities that I refer to.
I admire your passion and your articulate way of expressing that passion concerning women being seen as the strong people we are.
I LOVE being a girl. When I say “I am such a girl,” I say it with a smile and a huge sense of pride. Saying it doesn’t make me feel weak or “less than.” It DOES mean that I would never work on a construction crew, or field dress a deer, or work on fishing boat, simply because those activities don’t suit me. However, they don’t make me less strong or less capable in many, many other areas.
I don’t at all feel demeaned by calling myself a girl because being a girl is something I glory in! And being a girl makes me confident enought to say that there are some things I don’t love to do and am not equipped to do and that’s okay. I am sad that it made you feel demeaned; that wasn’t at all my intention.
You always give me for food for thought and I appreciate that so much. Although I will continue to use that line in my private life, I won’t use it any longer in a public setting because I want the women who read what I write to be encouraged and uplifted in their roles as amazing women.
Thanks again for your input.
Hi Becky –
Thank you for taking my feedback so very kindly. I woke up the next morning wondering if I should have left it. I hope I wasn’t harsh, I tried not to be.. yet I am an activist, and my activist spirt calls me to say something when it feels wrong. I’ve grown up a lot in my 43 years and, I hope, I’ve learned to deliver it better, when times call for. Oh, and your post – it reminded me how much I love shrimp. I now live in the Pacific Northwest, just 1 hour from the fishing port of Newport, Ore., and so we get good seafood. Since you posted this I’ve been getting ½ – ¾ lb of shrimp at the market when I go on the weekends. It’s been a nice treat for me (and yes, one of my cats too).
I’m glad Sarah is so happy at school. Small schools are so much easier, and students get less lost in the shuffle. I work at a large university now and I can’t imagine being an undergraduate student here. On one hand there are so many opportunities, but on the other hand students simply become numbers. I find it a bit dehumanizing. Regent only had 7,500 students last year (http://www.regent.edu/academics/academic_affairs/ir/fact_books/Regent_Fact_Book_2015-2016.pdf).. it’s a great size, and I’m sure she’s already discovered she won’t get lost in the shuffle or be just a number.
🙂
Brooke, thanks for your sweet follow up comment. I always appreciate getting to engage with my blog readers in honest dialogue.
I’m glad I helped you remember how much you enjoyed shrimp. We have yet to cook any of ours but will do it soon. 🙂
And thanks for the fact sheet about Regent. Very interesting!
Jenna,
I am right there with you on drawing the line at live lobster. Never, ever, EVER!
Good for you in letting your new son get some shrimp. I know it must have meant a lot to him that you stepped out of your comfort (and knowledge) zone and helped him prepare that for dinner. You’re a good mom!
Ick Ick You are a brave woman, haha.
Lesley,
Yes, I totally agree. 🙂
Oh Becky – your face in the pictures tells the whole story. Love that you are now an official OBX woman. 🙂
Mel,
I’ve never thought I had a real expressive face but those pictures tell a different story!
Proud of you, Becky. I have peeled and deveined cooked shrimp. While in Japan we had cooked shrimp with heads on. I refused to eat them. I do enjoy shrimp and order them often in seafood restaurants.
Ann,
I certainly join you in not being a fan of cooking shrimp with heads on. Of course, that would save having to head them!
Thanks for the article you sent; so interesting to read!
My in laws brought some fresh shrimp home from Florida one time that we had to head and clean. It was kind of icky, but the taste of those cooked shrimp were well worth it! I will not clean fish or deer, yuk. (And I have to wash my hands with Ajax cleanser after touching raw meat or chicken!)
This is my mother in laws recipe for cooking the shrimp for something like shrimp cocktail:
Bring water to boil
Add 1/2 can of beer
Lemon juice
Cinnamon (a large dash)
Add shrimp
When boils again, time 1 minute, drain and cool
CAUTION – Boils over easily when you add the beer.
Enjoy!
Kari,
How nice of you to add an actual shrimp recipe. Thank you!! I had never pictures cinnamon with shrimp but it actually sounds pretty good.
Ah, no. That would not be my thing either. Since I am the only one in our household that likes seafood, I do get some every once in a while that have been cleaned and ready to cook and or eat. I am amazed at the difference of the taste from the ones you get in the meat market from the ones right from the ocean. We were in Seattle with our son and daughter-in-law a couple years ago at the Public Market and I bought 3 shrimp ($5.00 for just those 3), but the taste was so fresh – nothing like what we get in Minnesota. May you can post some pictures of your “cookery” recipes for these shrimp. You have certainly been blessed. While I’m at it, is is blest or blessed?
Sharyn,
You’re absolutely right; shrimp fresh from the ocean is a whole different thing than any other kind of shrimp. Nothing like it!
As for blest vs blessed: they mean the same thing but blest is an archaic version of blessed.
Way to go, Becky! I’ve peeled and deveined, but haven’t had to head them. I would learn in a heartbeat if they were mine to eat! Enjoy! Hope your ensemble survived the process. ?
Guerrina,
I didn’t really put on that ensemble that morning with the idea of heading shrimp for an hour! Thankfully, it did survive although Steve had to sort of disinfect the bottoms of my sandals since I had been walking around in shrimp juice.
But you’re right–it’s worth the effort for such a wonderful outcome!
I wouldn’t have known what to do with that much shrimp but I sure would have enjoyed eating it! Not a lot of fresh seafood in the middle of the country. I do miss that about living in Tampa for almost 13 years. I must say you were nicely accessorized to do you shrimp heading.
Phyllis,
Having lived in Tampa, you DO know all about the joy of fresh seafood! There’s nothing quite like it, is there?
Oh yuck! I don’t blame you one bit! You are one up on me though since I have never prepared shrimp like that. Hey, we live in the middle of the country. Not much seafood going on around here. 😉 Anyway, I surely would not volunteer for that job. I also will NOT clean a fish or a pheasant, or kill a chicken or help field dress a deer. Nope. Just give me the finished product. It will then go into the freezer while I work up my courage to eat it. Seriously. I could EASILY be a vegetarian!! 😀
LeeAnne,
I’m with you on that. I would NEVR clean a fish or kill a chicken. In the area we live, young boys (and even girls!) are taught a lot of these fishing and hunting skills; they don’t even blink at field dressing a deer.
My hat is off to them.
I’ve never seen a shrimp beheaded,
I hope I never see one.
But I can tell you, any how,
I’d rather see than be one!
With nods to Gelette Burgess
Jan,
What a delightful poem. I’m impressed at your artistry!
Don’t be. I just turned “purple cow” into shrimp beheaded in a poem that’s been around since the late 1800s. (And even I’m not that old!)
Jan,
Yes, but you still had the creativity to make the changes so you can’t talk me out of being impressed. 🙂
(And I’m glad to know you have not been around since the late 1800’s.) 🙂
That’s a lot of shrimp! Very brave!
I have a shrimp story to share. My new son and I have begun cooking supper together daily each weekday afternoon. One our second day of cooking I glibly asked him what he wanted to cook for that night and he immediately answered shrimp.
Well! There not only was there no shrimp in my home to be found but as a vegetarian since I was 17 years old I’ve never so much as pondered how to cook any type of seafood, much less cooked and prepared shrimp.
However. …if my new son wanted shrimp on his second day in our family. ….well shrimp he would have! So I sent him on a walk to our local corner grocery store (in the middle of a prairie city) to see of they had shrimp and sure enough a while later he came back with a package of frozen precooked shrimp! I counted myself very brave to hold to that plastic package full of dead shrimps in my hand! Then I texted my own mother on details on how to cook/ heat up shrimp and we fried the shrimp! (Well he did it as I bravely looked on and told him what to do).
However a few days later in the grocery store he announced we should buy (live!!) Lobsters to cook up. Well!! I set the limit on that! Had a live lobster come home the poor creature would not have gone in a pot but into my bathtub where it would have been given a name and turned into a family pet! So no lobsters made their way home and he picked out beef instead.
I guess I am a bit of a wuss. Had someone given me a cooler full of shrimp, I don’t think I could ever have been as brave as you with your shrimp!