Monday, November 9, 2009

Somtam with raw crabs, anyone?



Have you ever tried eating raw crabs? Here's an exotic food loaded with chili you wanna try - Somtam! In my previous post, I featured my favorite Somtam Polamai (mixed fresh fruits) but this time, it's Somtam Malaku (papaya) mixed with carrots, string beans, tomatoes, -all raw, fresh and crunchy!

It's seasoned with nam phla (fish sauce) manaw (lemon) juice, Thai caramel from sugary palm and spiced up with garlic and tons of chili as you wish.
 

Then choose your flavor - salted egg, dried small shrimps, salted or preserved freshwater crab which my Thai friend calls "rotten crab". Or if you dare, try raw sea crab. This is the most expensive kind of somtam as sea crab is rare.The ingredients are mixed together while being pounded in a mortar and pestle so the raw crab's fresh juice is blended well to give a distinct taste. I haven't tried it though as I don't eat crab even if it's cooked. For me, I choose vegetarian somtam mixed with roasted peanuts or salted egg or both. When I order, I always say "maisai prik" or "don't put any chili" but still they put one or two because to Thai people, no chili means "tasteless". But my tongue can now tolerate a chili or two as I already get used to it.

Somtam is loved not only in Thailand but everywhere in the world where there is a Thai restaurant. It's not only due to its great taste but also because of its high nutritional value and antioxidant properties.

5 comments:

kathy said...

OMG! Crabs is my favorite jud! It looks fresh...

Dhemz said...

holy cow....so yummmy...would love to try thai food....so delish...very inviting yung food...kakagutom tuloy...ehehhehe!

Dhemz said...

balik me ulit dito te....just got back from school...kelan ka pala aalis ng BKK?

have safe trip po...at ingat....:)

Faye said...

it looks delicious. but thai foods are spicy.
i really like crabs and shrimps those are my favorite. i miss crabs.

Anonymous said...

Miss A! Raw crabs??? Hindi na niluto? Ayy ano ba yan! Never tried raw crabs kasi.. I am not a big fan of raw foods. Nver tried sushi nga eh kasi takot ako sa smell. I mean it's not bad pero yong may pgka-malangsa, ayaw ng sikmura ko...

Have a safe trip dear...

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