Shrimp is just one of those foods. So many people love it; it can be used for many dishes with exquisite flavors. However, shrimp is not the cheapest food, so wasting some of it is not something most people want to do. So, the question is, can you eat shrimp eyes?
Provided that they are properly cooked, you can eat shrimp eyes. Shrimp eyes don’t hold much nutritional value, but they have several uses. One of the most popular methods is to boil them and use them in a fish soup or as a stock. Also, some people eat the entire shrimp, including its head.
While it may seem like a simple answer to a simple question, it’s not really. That is why I want to dive deeply into whether or not you can eat shrimp eyes, the best ways of preparing them, and whether or not you should actually eat them. So, for everything you need to know, I recommend you keep reading.
Can You Eat Shrimp Heads?
Although shrimp eyes don’t contain much nutritional value, the heads of a shrimp do. In fact, eating a shrimp head, even with the shell on, is an excellent source of protein.
It is important to remember that the shrimp head needs to be cooked appropriately. If it is not, you run the risk of getting food poisoning, but the same applies to eating any part of the shrimp.
If the head is cooked correctly, you can eat the entire thing; however, some people like to suck the food and liquid out of the shrimp head and throw away the shell. Typically, the eyeballs don’t get eaten when people do that.
What Do Shrimp Eyes Taste Like?
There are many opinions on what shrimp eyes may taste like. However, most people say it tastes like crab fat, only shrimpier. Some people like to compare it with nutty flavors. However, I find them to be a combination of both.
Best Way To Cook Shrimp Eyes
Most people who eat shrimp eyes do so by cooking the entire shrimp as it is. They don’t remove the head, so when the shrimp is cooked, so are the eyes.
The heads are typically left on for presentation purposes, along with the tails. Many people, either too shy to ask or simply out of enjoyment, will eat the entire head with the exoskeleton on, but if you want to find out about a few ways to cook shrimp eyes, I have a few ideas for you:
- Throw them in your Gumbo. Many people like to throw the entire shrimp in without removing anything, including the digestive tract.
- Fry them while still attached to the shrimp, with or without batter.
- Boil them down to make shrimp stock which can be used for many things, including fish soup or when cooking fish in foil.
Also, don’t be afraid to get creative. Use it if you think something will taste good with a bit of shrimp eye stock. If you want to cook an entire shrimp in batter, leaving the head on, don’t be afraid to try it out.
Should You Eat Shrimp Eyes?
This is a subjective answer to a tricky question. However, because they are perfectly safe to eat, I find nothing wrong with eating shrimp eyes. Of course, some people might not like it cooked in a certain way, but if you are not afraid to experiment, you can find a method that allows you not to waste any part of the shrimp.
What Is The Green Stuff In Shrimp Heads?
The green stuff in a shrimp’s head is part of the shrimp’s digestive tract, which is also known to be very tasty. However, because of its darkness and veiny look, it can often be mistaken for a vein, therefore, will most likely be removed during the deveining process.
Just because the digestive tract is tasty doesn’t mean it is always best to leave it in. The most important thing to remember, whether eating a shrimp with its digestive tract or eyes, is that it needs to be adequately cooked, especially when it comes to the digestive tract.
The digestive tract contains a lot of bacteria; it also has quite a lot of sediment leftover from the shrimp’s eating habits. Therefore, if the shrimp is not adequately cooked, it could lead to severe food poisoning.
What Part Of A Shrimp Head Is Edible?
It is safe to say that you can eat the entire head of a shrimp if you like. Some people prefer to remove the heads, but it’s really each to one’s own. The head is more of a lid holding a lot of flavor and protein.
Typically, people who eat the shrimp’s head will eat every single part, including the exoskeleton and the eyes.
Why is my shrimp grey?
Usually, shrimp is grey when not cooked; once you have cooked the shrimp to your liking, it should be pinkish-red. However, if the shrimp still has a glimpse of grey, they might not be done cooking. If this is the case, you might want to add your shrimp back to the pan for a few minutes.
The shrimp’s head and eyes can taste amazing, depending on how the shrimp is cooked. But, for many people, it is their favorite part of the shrimp.
That said, it is extremely important that the shrimp is cooked correctly.
What Part Of Shrimp Can You Not Eat?
You do not have to remove any parts of the shrimp. You can eat it whole, including its exoskeleton and even its legs. So although many people do like to clean their shrimp, it’s not necessary it just means you get more meat and less of the other parts.
There is a black line running down the shrimp’s back; this is often mistaken for a vein but is, in fact, part of the shrimp’s digressional tract system. It is blackish brown and is filled with all different kinds of bacteria that the shrimps will then waste (poop).
So if you eat raw shrimp, this black intestine that runs through it could harm. However, If the entire shrimp has been well cooked, you can eat the whole of the shrimp, including the intestine, which some people say is filled with exquisite flavors.
Conclusion
Shrimp eyes are perfectly safe to eat, provided you cook them correctly. As I mentioned in this article, don’t be afraid to get creative. You might find that shrimp eyes complement one of your favorite dishes.
Sources
- https://www.quora.com/Can-you-eat-shrimp-eyes
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Cooking/comments/214tbs/is_it_safe_to_eat_shrimp_head/
- https://www.verymeaty.com/fresh-meat/crustaceans/shrimp/can-you-eat-shrimp-eyes/
