Peeling and cleaning shrimp is a simple thing that can help you save money, as long as you are willing to go through the process yourself. First, the head is removed, followed by the legs and bark. Peel and clean using a kitchen knife. Read on to learn more about peeling and cleaning shrimp, getting them ready to prepare this delicious seafood.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Shrimp Peeling
Step 1. Decide whether shrimp should be peeled before or after preparation
Many cooks advocate leaving the peel during preparation to add more flavor to the dish, as it has a very particular taste. However, some people prefer to peel the shrimp before cooking it, making it easier to eat.
If you want to keep the skin on the body but prefer to remove the legs and nerves, use kitchen scissors to make a cut on the back, allowing it to be cleaned and peeled after preparation
Step 2. Remove the head
Sometimes the shrimp still come with the head. It must be removed or cut off first.
Step 3. Remove the paws
Place the shrimp between your fingers and pull several at once. It is usually easy to remove the legs from the shrimp's body.
Step 4. Peel off the shell
Starting from the head, place your fingers under the shell and gently pull it, removing it from the body without breaking it.
Step 5. Leave the tail or not - the choice is yours
Some cooks like the appearance of the tailed shrimp on the plate, while others prefer to take it off.
Step 6. Save the shells
Put them in a bag and leave them in the freezer for when you want to prepare shrimp broth. It is a great ingredient to accompany shrimp bisque and other seafood soups.
Method 2 of 3: Cleaning the Shrimp
Step 1. Use a kitchen knife to make a small cut on the back of the shrimp
It should be about half an inch long. Flesh will appear, revealing a black and white nerve beneath the surface. In fact, this is the shrimp's digestive tract, which includes the colon and stomach.
Step 2. Use the tip of the knife to lift the nerve a little bit
Start by lifting it with your fingers.
Step 3. Remove the nerve carefully with your fingers
Try pulling all at once so as not to tear it. With the knife, cut off parts of the meat that may be in the way and discard the nerve.
Step 4. Check the "belly" of the shrimp
Some also have this nerve in this part of the body. If you find it, make a second cut in the area and lift the nerve using the knife and fingers.
Step 5. Rinse fingers and shrimp
The nerve can be a little sticky, so make sure there is no part stuck to the shrimp or fingers.
Step 6. Keep the shrimp cold until ready to cook
They deteriorate quickly in hot air, so they need to be kept in a cool place while you don't prepare them, such as in the refrigerator.
Method 3 of 3: Using the Fork Technique
Step 1. Find the beginning of the nervous part
Look at the shrimp where the head was (ie, you need to remove it first) and check for a black dot or nerve just below the shell on top of the shrimp.
Step 2. Take a barbecue fork and place one end directly on the black dot or nerve
Step 3. Hold the shrimp firmly and start pushing the tip into the cavity
As the "tooth" of the fork goes deeper into the body of the shrimp, it will be straighter and, with the pressure applied, the column will be broken, also removing the shell, that is, cleaning and peeling at once.
- This method can also be done with a specialized shrimp peeling tool (which can be purchased from seafood outlets), but the barbecue fork also works very well.
- Leaving the shrimp under cold running water when cleaning helps to release the nerve, speeding up the procedure.