WHAT IS A CRAWFISH?

Crawfish are freshwater crustaceans, usually ranging in length from 3-6 inches. And, depending on your region and upbringing, can be known as crayfish, or mudbugs, or crawdads—but in Louisiana they are simply known as “crawfish” and are a staple during the spring and summer. The meat in their tails, and claws, is edible and the basis for crawfish boils and many popular recipes like gumbo, étouffée and jambalaya.

WHAT DOES CRAWFISH TASTE LIKE?

Although crawfish is typically grouped with seafood, it does not have a strong natural flavor like many other delicacies in this group. Compared to crab, crawfish do have a stronger flavor and are usually much meatier. Many people describe the flavor of crawfish as a combination of shrimp and crab, as they are slightly salty, a little sweet, and have a bit of mineral flavor. The taste of crawfish ultimately depends on which parts you are eating and how it’s been prepared.

The edible parts include the claws, tails, legs, tomalley, roe, and outer shell. The claws, legs, and tails are typically considered the most desirable parts as they contain the majority of the meat. While the claws have a mild and sweet taste with a smooth texture, the tails are a bit thicker and tougher to chew. 

WHEN IS CRAWFISH SEASON?

Crawfish season varies from one year to the next, based on how cold (or mild) the weather was during the Gulf Coast winter. It also depends on the amount of rain, and the water levels in the swamps and bayous.

Generally, the crawfish season in Louisiana runs from early-January through early-July for crawfish caught in the wild, with the peak months being March, April, and May. Crawfish from farms are available over a longer period of the year.

WHAT IS THE TYPICAL SIZE OF A SACK OF CRAWFISH?

Mesh sacks of crawfish vary in weight, but the average sack weighs around 34-36 pounds. However, some can be as small as 25lbs, others as large as 43lbs.

HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU BOIL CRAWFISH?

Boiling crawfish is a Louisiana tradition—an event and social gathering not to be rushed, but to be enjoyed with family and friends! Fill your chest with ice, beer, and cold drinks, gather up newspaper to spread on the outdoor tables, setup the lawn chairs, and begin the “process.”

When it comes to recipes, everyone has a favorite—there are dozens of recipes and techniques to choose from. 

WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT TO ORDER FOR EACH PERSON?

The standard guideline is three pounds per person—for the “average” person that is. This recommendation is based on serving the crawfish with corn and potatoes. Some long-time crawfish diners may consume up to five pounds. Crawfish aficionados can easily eat ten pounds (or more) in one sitting.

ARE CRAWFISH GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH?

Crawfish are an excellent source of high-quality protein, while being low in calories, fat, and saturated fat.  One quarter pound of crawfish tails contains only 82 calories, while also being a good source of calcium, phosphorous, iron, protein, and B vitamins. Although crawfish tend to be higher in cholesterol than most other shellfish, a 3.5 ounce serving provides only about half of the daily recommended allowance.

HOW MUCH EDIBLE MEAT COMES FROM A CRAWFISH?

A whole, cooked crawfish will typically yield about 15% tail meat. So, as an example, 10 pounds of whole crawfish should yield about 1.5 pounds of tail meat.

WILL A CRAWFISH BITE ME?

Hold a live crawfish behind the head and you’re safe! If it’s already been boiled—just pinch the head and enjoy!

“You tell somebody the grandpas played together on the same street, fought together in the war, then came to Bossier City and opened two of the oldest stores, and then we married each other, they say, ‘That’s a mafia wedding.’ I say, ‘No, God worked it out.’”

Sharon said it takes that kind of connection to keep a store like Maggio Grocery & Deli going.

“It was the perfect union for us,” she said. “I was used to being in the store all the time. You definitely have to have family. Somebody who understands this type of business. This little neighborhood depends on this place.”

The Peters’ family store eventually closed. Maggio is working to ensure the tradition remains in the family.

“We’re still going, thank the Lord,” he said. “I am training my nephew, Joseph Maggio, to run the store if something happens to me.”

Maggio greets everyone who comes through the door, calling most by name and asking about their families. At Maggio Grocery & Deli, bottled drinks are $1.99. Love is free.

“You’ve got to give it from the heart,” he said. “When you give from the heart, you don’t keep up with it. You just keep giving, because God will give it to you. If God lets me live one more day to see my family, my friends, my customers, I’m happy.”

One woman calls out, “Hey, Vince,” as she’s walking out the door. He doesn’t let her just slip away. “Hey, sweetheart,” he calls back in reply. “How you doing? You have a nice day.”

Joe waits patiently while Maggio is on the phone. “He’s good people,” Joe says of Vince. “I’ve never met anybody better than him. Never.”

“This is a neighborhood store,” Maggio explained. “When they come here, you want them happy and safe. I’ll take care of them like they are my own family.”

That love drives Maggio to give back to the community beyond the four walls of the store.

He was staring out the window of the store one Monday morning, sipping coffee and considering what more he could do for his neighborhood, when that love prompted him to take another step — running for city council.

“Bossier City has been so great to my whole family,” he said. “I want to give back to my community I was born in District 5. I live in District 5. I work in District 5. I’ve never left District 5.”

Maggio’s campaign platform was built on safety and infrastructure.

“We ain’t got safety, and we ain’t got infrastructure,” he said. “Every penny I spend for the city, I want it to go back to the basics — safety and infrastructure. That’s what we need right now.”

Maggio backs up his commitment to his district with his actions. He has organized cleanup efforts to keep trash out of the neighborhood.

“I’ve picked up 13 dumpsters already,” he said. “What the trash people don’t pick up, I pick up — limbs, posts, iceboxes, dishwashers, basketball goals. I hate to see something on the side of the road. I’m giving back to my community. I don’t mind working.”

Through the years Maggio has bought properties in the neighborhood to keep them from going dormant. One of those properties is now Cumberland Farms — the urban garden down the street from the store.

Cumberland Farms’ mission is to “Restore Lives. Create Jobs. Ignite Hope.” It is an extension of The Lovewell at Cumberland, whose expanded mission is to help people in the area move out of poverty.

Maggio gave the Lovewell permission to the property with no strings attached. 

“We couldn’t do a lot of what we do without their help,” Mark Rodie, co-founder of Cumberland Farms and director of operations for the Lovewell at Cumberland, said of the Maggios. “It was a clean slate, an empty lot. We just show him pictures of what God has done, and he says, ‘That’s awesome.’”

On this particular Wednesday, a group of Haughton students were volunteering at the garden on their Spring Break. Maggio treated them to burgers and sandwiches from the store for lunch. On Thursday nights, he pays for security for The Underground, a Bible study and dinner for young people in the area.

For Maggio, it’s all a way to share a simple message with the community.

“If you have Jesus, honesty and work hard, you can have anything I’ve got,” he said. “I didn’t go to college. Daddy kept me at the store, helping on rent houses and at the farm. I’m teaching them how I was brought up.”

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. In a large bowl, crumble your cake.     2. Add in your cream cheese frosting. Mix well  with a hand mixer, spoon, or stand mixer. 3. Divide your cake into 10 sections. With the  palm of your hand, round out each portion  into a ball shape. 
2. Place your cake pops on a sheet pan or plate  and place them in the freezer for 15 minutes. 5. While your cake pops are in the freezer, place  green candy melts in a medium-sized bowl  or coffee mug. Microwave for 30-second  intervals until completely melted. Repeat  separately with white candy melts. 
3. Remove the cake pops from the freezer. 7. Place your cookie stick in the candy melt,  then the cake pop. Then add your cake pop  to the candy melts. Coat the pop completely  with the melt. On the side of the bowl, tap  it gently with the stick removing any excess  chocolate from the cake pop to create a  smooth finish. 
4. Place the cake pop on parchment paper or a  silicone mat. Immediately add your sprinkles  before the chocolate dries.  
5. Continue steps 6 – 8 until each cake pop is  complete. 
6. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy! 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Melt your butter & marshmallows: Melt down  your butter in a large pot. Add in the marsh mallows and cook on medium-low heat until  they are melted.  
2. Add in your Rice Krispies: Remove marshmal low mixture from heat and add in rice krispie  cereal and mix until they are incorporated.  
3. Sprinkles + Extra Marshmallows: Allow the  mixture to cool slightly (this will help the ex tra marshmallows and sprinkles from melting  into the batter), and then add the sprinkles  and extra marshmallows.  

4. Mold your Rice Krispie Treats: Line a sheet,  pan, or rectangle cake pan with parchment  paper and spread out the rice krispie mixture  evenly. Top with a bit more sprinkles and cool  until hardened. Remove and cut into squares.