Crab Back (Dominica Stuffed Crab)
Local name: Crab back
In short: Dominica-style crab back: seasoned crab meat with onion, thyme and scotch bonnet, piled into shells, topped with breadcrumbs and baked. It takes about 48 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Total
- 48 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 270 kcal
Crab back is seasoned crab meat piled back into its shell, topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden. In Dominica it is made with land crab, with onion, thyme, garlic and scotch bonnet in the stuffing. Any good crab meat works at home, and you can use ramekins instead of shells. Serve it with lime and pepper sauce as a starter or a light lunch.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the onion, bell pepper, scallions and garlic for 5 minutes until soft. Cool for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the crab meat, cooked vegetables, thyme, scotch bonnet, lime juice, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Stir in two thirds of the breadcrumbs and the beaten egg until the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Spoon the mixture into the shells or ramekins, mounding it slightly. Scatter the remaining breadcrumbs on top and dot with the butter.
- Set the shells on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is hot throughout (74°C / 165°F).
- Serve hot, with lime wedges and pepper sauce.
Tips
- Use a mix of white and brown crab meat if you can. The brown meat adds richness, but white meat alone is fine.
- Make the filling a day ahead, stuff the shells and refrigerate. Add the breadcrumbs on top just before baking so they stay crisp.
Questions and answers
What kind of crab is used for crab back?
In Dominica it is made with land crab. At home, fresh or pasteurized crab meat of any kind works, such as blue, Dungeness or brown crab.
Can I freeze crab backs?
Yes. Freeze the stuffed, unbaked shells for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 180°C (350°F) for 35 to 40 minutes, until the filling is hot throughout (74°C / 165°F) and the topping is golden.
How spicy is crab back?
Mild to medium. Half a seeded scotch bonnet gives gentle heat. Add more, or serve extra pepper sauce on the side, for a hotter version.
How long does it take to make Crab Back (Dominica Stuffed Crab)?
About 48 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 18 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Crab Back (Dominica Stuffed Crab)?
About 270 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 18 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 270 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
