softshells
Recently shed crustaceans
Softshells are crabs or turtles with soft, flexible shells.
A softshell crab has recently molted, shedding its hard exterior before a new one forms—prized in cooking because the entire crab can be eaten: fried softshell crab sandwich.
Softshell turtles have leathery, pliable shells rather than the typical hard carapace.
Periodic shedding of covering
- ChesapeakeMid-Atlantic tidal estuary
- estuariesRiver-sea meeting points
- brackishMildly salty water
- decapodsTen-appendaged sea creatures
crustaceans · carapace · exoskeleton · shellfish · pincers · chelae · cephalothorax · shedding
Small edible marsh turtle
- chelonianTurtle family member
- reptileCold-blooded scaled vertebrate
- plastronVentral shell portion
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
hatchling · leatherback · slider · snapping · painted · herpetology · basking · aquatic
Periodic shedding of covering
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- exposedOut in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
delicate · unprotected · soft-bodied · tender · precarious · shedding · papery · pliable
molting
Periodic shedding of covering
- ChesapeakeMid-Atlantic tidal estuary
- estuariesRiver-sea meeting points
- brackishMildly salty water
decapods · crustaceans · carapace · exoskeleton · shellfish · pincers · chelae · cephalothorax · shedding · peeler
terrapin
Small edible marsh turtle
carapace · hatchling · leatherback · slider · snapping · painted · herpetology · basking · aquatic · freshwater
molting
Periodic shedding of covering
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- exposedOut in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
susceptible · delicate · unprotected · soft-bodied · tender · precarious · shedding · papery · pliable · hiding
pan-frying
Cooking in shallow oil
butter · garlic · lemon · almondine · meunière · piccata · skillet · crispy · golden · tender
gourmet
Connoisseur of fine cuisine
- succulentMoist and flavorful
- delectableExtremely pleasing to taste
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
seasonal · sumptuous · epicurean · savory · flavorful · indulgence · refined · artisanal · prized · delicacy
- softshell crabCrab just after molting
- softshell jacketFlexible, weather-resistant outerwear
- softshell turtleTurtle with pliable shell