BLUE CRAB
The first thing appearing on people's mind as an answer to what to eat in Dalyan is Blue Crab. Dalyan contributes to tourism with King Tombs, Kaunos Antique City, İztuzu Beach, thermal waters and mud baths as well as its blue crabs.
The restaurants in Dalyan, with the beginning of summer season starts to cook blue crabs for tourists. The guests participated in tours of Dalyan get the chance to taste blue crab.
Blue crabs are species of North Africa. Ith is known that Kaunos Antique City is a Port. The population of blue crabs in the Dalyan is very high due to factors such as climate, water temperature and water quality that are expected to come from North America with vessels coming to the region for trade. The blue crabs occupying tops in the food chain of mainly caretta caretta turtles and many other creatures is a taste not found in many countries of the world.
Due to the high protein value and its taste, the economic value has also contributed greatly to local tourism in recent years. The blue crab has become an indispensable taste for many holidaymakers and tourists. It is hunted in the lagoons where Köyceğiz Lake, Dalyan Canal come together. It is an important taste and source of protein consumed and loved in America, Europe and Far East countries. Blue crab meat is especially rich in phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron and calcium. The aphrodisiac effect of blue crabs commonly consumed by local people is often the subject to conversations. It is called the natural Viagra among people. While meat in their breast and chelas can be consumed and Blue crabs themselves are carnivores.
The blue crab is included in menu of our restaurant called as The Other Side Restaurant which is located in Dalyan. Özay AKDOGAN, who is well known for his statements about the blue crab at the national press, states that the time when the blue crab is the most delicious is the dark moon time. The reason for this is that blue crabs can not hunt in the full moon.
FEMALE BLUE CRABS AREN'T HUNTED, WHY?
Female blue crabs are not hunted in Dalyan Canal, Köyceğiz Lake and throughout the delta to protect blue crab population "Although female crabs's taste is much better than males, they are smaller than males, andthey have blue arms." When female Blue crabs are caught, they left in water not to put this species in danger of extinction. The adult crabs caught in the Dalyan region have an average weight of 400 - 600 grams.
Put crabs in a carefully cleaned saucepan. Add some salt on Blue crabs considering the number of them and cook in a closed saucepan on a low heat until its colour turn into tile red. While blue crabs are cooked in the saucepan, add real lemon juice to peeled and crushed garlic and prepare the sauce to pour on it. Once the colour of blue crabs turn into tile red, add some olive oil and cook 5-10 minutes more. At the end, add lemon juice with garlic to the blue crabs and cook for 5 minutes more. The blue crabs are ready for service. Bon Appetit.