Preparing holiday seafood dishes is firmly rooted in old-world traditions—long-standing ones carried forward to the new world. The practice of holiday seafood dishes, in part, relates to religious observances of abstaining from meat on holy days. Still, there’s also a practical side to enjoying seafood around the holidays: seafood was and is an abundant resource in both the old world and the new.
In particular, in Maine, seafood is a part of the tradition as it is a livelihood. For Mainers, especially over Christmastime, eating seafood chowder is a long-held tradition. In fact, throughout New England, no Christmas dinner is complete without seafood chowder on the menu, and, in many households, from shrimp bowls and oyster plates to grilled lobster, seafood dishes are common fare.
Here are six-holiday seafood recipes to help you start your tradition:
- Maine Shrimp and Scallops
Known for their firm texture and sweet flavor, wild-caught Atlantic Sea Scallops are an excellent seafood stew choice. The key to a successful stew is in using the highest quality, fresh seafood. Try Martha Greenlaw’s Maine Shrimp and Scallop Stew. - Maine Crab Meat
Fresh, sweet Maine crab meat is ideal for making classic hors d’oeuvres like crab cakes. Try this simple recipe from The Ellsworth American. - Maine Lobster Meat
Sustainable, wild-caught lobsters, responsibly harvested by independent lobster fishers from the Gulf of Maine are guaranteed fresh. Maine has one of the best managed and maintained fisheries in the world. Try something really special this season by mimicking the infamous Eventide Oyster’s brown butter lobster roll. - Whole Live Lobsters
Sure you can steam your live lobsters– or you can try something just as simple but unexpected. Though summer is without a doubt grilling season in Maine, grilled lobsters can be served year-round. The sweet, smoky BBQ flavor of tender lobster meat is for the making anytime, and the holidays are no exception. Check out our post How to Grill a Whole Live Lobster for the details. - Cooking a Whole Fish
Whether on the grill or in the oven, roasted whole fish is another option to consider for one of your Christmas or Holiday seafood dishes. There is a wide variety of fishes in the seafood markets in Maine to choose from. Here’s a recipe for roasted whole fish that will keep you smiling into the New Year. - Fin Fish
Like we mentioned above, there is nothing more classic than fish chowder for the New England holiday table. For the best fish chowder, choose prime fillets, fresh wild-caught haddock, or cod from the Gulf of Maine or from off the coast of Nova Scotia. For a more robust flavor, prepare the chowder a day or two in advance.
Shipping Information for the 2020 Holiday Season
We want to make sure you get your Maine seafood on time for whatever your special dishes might be!
Shipping
Shipping Live Lobsters
- Live lobsters can only be shipped Monday – Friday
- EXCEPT for the following dates: December, 24- 25, 2020 and January 1, 2020
Live lobster and Lobster meat may be ordered any day before cutoffs to be shipped the same day. No advance lead time necessary.
Cut off time is 5 pm and we are closed at noon on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day.
Local or Curbside Pick-Up
- Monday- Friday 7am-3pm
- Saturday and Sunday 7am-11am
- December, 24, 2020 7am-12pm
- CLOSED: December 25, 2020
- CLOSED: January 1, 2020
To buy live lobster from Portland, Maine, order from Klenda Seafood and get it shipped directly to your door! Call to place an order for shipping: (207) 799-0155!