FAQ
What are Crawfish?
The University of Delaware define Crawfish like shrimp or lobsters, belong to the scientific class Crustacea. Their hard outer shell, called the exoskeleton, does not grow with the crawfish and is shed periodically. In Louisiana, two species of crawfish — the red swamp and the white river — provide for the harvest. Crawfish are harvested from both wild habitats (natural rivers, bayous, swamps, and lakes) and controlled, managed crawfish farms. Harvest takes place from November through June, with baited wire-mesh traps. Traps are checked daily, and the catch is packed into 50 lb. onion sacks for delivery to processors. Only the tail meat is recovered from processing. The claw meat is tasty but very meager and difficult to pick out. Tail meat can be purchased fresh or frozen, with prices varying with the time of season and supply.
Both species of crawfish occur naturally in the Mid-Atlantic region, but crawfish farming is a very recent development. Small, shallow ponds have been stocked with red swamp crawfish and are managed for commercial production. The harvest takes place during spring and summer, coinciding with the tourist season. Production is still very limited, but there is considerable interest in exploring the potential of crawfish farming as an alternative crop.
How do you eat crawfish?
The folks from the Louisiana Crawfish Boil explain the best way to eat a crawfish!
Crawfish are eaten with your hands (don’t ask for utensils; you will only be laughed at). Don’t be intimidated by that big pile of cooked crawfish.
With one hand, grasp the crawfish head. Grasp the tail with your other hand. Gently squeeze the tail end of the body close to where it joins the head. Hold the head steady and gently twist the tail end, still applying pressure. The meaty end will twist out of the head.
Put the head aside for the moment. Slide a finger or thumb under the first few segments at the top of the tail and peel away the top partially expose part of the tail. With the shell still partially intact, bring the tail meat to your mouth and sink your teeth into the exposed meat. Chomp down on it, and it will pop into your mouth as you leave the tail behind.
Are Crawfish Good Eats?
Delta Donnie from www.deltacrawfish.com explains the nutrition facts of crawfish.
Did you know that crawfish are an excellent source of protein? The fat content of washed crawfish tail meat is only about 1% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA.) Crawfish muscle fibers are shorter than the muscle fibers in red meats, so it makes them easier to digest.
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Serving Size: 3 ounces (85g)
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| Calories 70 | Calories from Fat 10 | ||
| Amounts per serving | %Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 1g | 2% | ||
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% | ||
| Cholesterol 120mg | 40% | ||
| Sodium 160mg | 7% | ||
| Total Carbohydrate 0g | 0% | ||
| Dietary fiber 0g | 0% | ||
| Sugars 0g | 0% | ||
| Protein | 15% | ||
| Vitamin A | 10% | ||
| Vitamin C | 0% | ||
| Calcium | 6% | ||
| Iron | 15% | ||
| *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs: | |||
| Calories: | 2,000 | 2,500 | |
| Total fat Less than | 65g | 80g | |
| Sat fat Less than | 20g | 25g | |
| Cholesterol Less than | 300mg | 300mg | |
| Sodium Less than | 2400mg | 2400mg | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | 375g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | 30g | |
How are crawfish prepared at the festival?
Hot, cold, jambalay, gumbo, hushpuppy’s and crawfish cocktail.
Do you have any good crawfish recipes?
There are so many different recipes for crawfish we could go on for days. Instead of doing that, provided here are a few different links for some of our favorite recipes:
» Crawfish Pie
» Crawfish Cornbread
» Crawfish Dip
» Boiled Crawfish
What is the price of admission to the festival?
Friday, August 13th, there is no admission (FREE) to the kick off festivities at the Tualatin Commons.
Saturday August 14th: entrance fees into the Community Park – $4 for adults (18 years and up), $2 for seniors (over 55). Children under 2 will be FREE.
Where does the Festival get the crawfish?
The festival crawfish come straight from Lake Billy Chinook here in Oregon. Pacific Seafood supplies the critters especially for the festival.
How much do crawfish cost at the Tualatin Crawfish Festival?
During the festival, there will be numerous vendors selling crawfish. Each vendor will have varying prices.
On Friday, you can get sample size crawfish dishes for the price of 1 ticket. The tickets are worth 1.00.
Is the Crawfish Cook-Off a dinner or a contest?
The answer to this question depends on if you are simply attending the festivities, or if you are a restaurant. The cook-off is a contest for the restaurants. For the general public, you can get dinner and enjoy a concert. The cook off is located at the Tualatin Commons.
Can I enter the Crawfish Cook-Off? I have some great family recipes.
Unfortunately, due to licensing requirements, we cannot allow the public to enter the Cook Off. This is specially designed event for the area restaurants. You are more than welcome to enjoy restaurant recipes.
How do I enter the “Atsa My Dawg” Dog Show? Requirements? Entry Fee? Prizes?
You can enter the dog show by filling out the application. Click Here
You must fill out an entry form (located at the information booth) after 12:00 pm on August 14th.
The only requirements for the dog show are the dog must be a real dog and he/she must be on a leash.
The entry fee for the show is $10 for 1st entry, $15 for 2 entries, $18 for 3 entries, $20 for all 4 categories. You must fill out an entry form to enter. Entry forms can be downloaded here or will be located at the information booth Saturday, August 14th They are as follows:
• Best Looking Dog
• Best Dog Trick
• Best Dressed
• Frisbee Toss
Prizes include gift certificates, ribbons and of course, bragging rights for winning!
Gee, this sounds like so much fun! How do I volunteer to help?
See the volunteer application or email festival@tualatinchamber.com
