What is the correct way to clean shrimp?
Cleaning shrimp is not that difficult and you just need to do it carefully. In this training, the correct way of cleaning shrimp, separating the head, legs and skin of shrimp and its storage methods are taught.
Cleaning raw and cooked shrimp has the same steps. By learning this tutorial, you can learn how to clean and check the freshness of any shrimp you want to use, as well as learn how to prepare shrimp for different dishes.
1- Check the freshness of the shrimp
All shrimp should be cooled to a temperature of 32-38 degrees. Raw shrimp should be eaten within 48 hours of purchase, while cooked shrimp should be eaten within 5-7 days. Frozen shrimp can also be used up to 5 or 6 months after purchase.
Fried shrimp should be soft, pinkish-white (purple), and not have a strong fishy smell. Some cooked shrimp have heads, legs, fins, and shells, while others contain a combination of just these parts.
Raw shrimp should be firm, clear, and somewhat shiny, with no noticeable odor. In many cases, raw shrimp have legs and shells, and often the head attached.
You should refrigerate frozen shrimp overnight before attempting to cut or peel them. You can also take some of the shrimp you plan to use from the refrigerator and place them in a bowl of cold water in the sink, then leave them in the water for 20 to 30 minutes.
2- How to wash shrimp
Put the shrimp in a colander and rinse well with cold water. As you wash the shrimp, check to make sure it is not spoiled. Throw away anything that looks sticky, discolored, or has excessive odor. Wash the shrimp only in cold water, not warmer than room temperature.
Shrimp cooks very quickly and if you cook them in hot water they will become slimy and rubbery.
3- Remove the head of the shrimp
Place the head of the shrimp between your index finger and thumb, and hold the body firmly with your other hand. Hold the head firmly and twist it until it explodes.
Note: Not all shrimp are de-headed, as some people prefer to cook and eat them to add flavour. This is a bit strange. If this bothers you, remove the shrimp head.
Put the shrimp heads in a separate bag from your household waste and get them out of the house quickly so that the unpleasant smell does not spread in the house. You can also save the shrimp heads to make homemade seafood dishes.
4- Separate the legs when cleaning the shrimp
After removing the head, turn the shrimp's body towards you so that its belly is facing you. Hold all of the legs firmly in your fingertips and pull towards the tail to separate them. The legs should come off fairly easily, but you may not be able to remove them all at once. Move the legs back and forth and do each leg at a time.
5- Peeling the shrimp while cleaning
There are several ways to do this. The most common way to get rid of the scales is to start peeling the shrimp where the legs come off, as you would when opening a jacket.
Using your fingernails or a small knife to remove the varnish, run it over the back and sides of the shrimp in different sections. You can also start where the head is removed, and pull the shell off from behind the centerline of the shrimp. This is just as effective.
6- Separate the tails of the shrimp
Oftentimes, shrimp are cooked with the tails on, depending on how you want them cooked. To remove the tail, you can grab it firmly and pull it off. If you find it difficult to remove, you can use a small knife to make a cut under the tail and remove it.
7- Separate the black vein from the shrimp
The final step in cleaning shrimp is to remove the black vein. The midline on the shrimp's back contains a dark line where the shrimp's intestines are located. Using a sharp knife, cut the back of the shrimp along this line, just deep enough to reach and remove the black vein.
Pull out the vein with the tip of the knife, then lift it up with your fingers and pull it toward the tail of the shrimp. Make sure all lines are removed.
8- Proper methods of preserving shrimp
Wash the shrimp in cold water to remove any skin, fat, or dirt. It is best to cook shrimp after cleaning them. You can also freeze them, taking them out of the freezer 24 hours before cooking.
Shrimp should be stored in the refrigerator, between 32 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit, in plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
