Topless soft crabs

[bob]

I stopped by a local market and they had soft crabs that were cleaned, including having the top shell removed and all mustard washed out.
Has anyone tried this way of prep, and if so how do you cook them?
They were fairly cheap but I did not buy any.
Thanks-

[procrabber]

i saw "topless" and thought it was a link to a different type of website.

i eat softies that way, but do not buy them. what happened is the crabs died, and in order to still be able to sell them, they took the guts and shell off. buy all of your softies frozen or live!

[Fruitland Crabber]

The shells the best part, we just cut the eyes and mouth off, lift up the shell clean out the dead man fingers and mustard, close the shell and cook them.

[bob]

Yeah Big C, that is the way I usually get them.
 
I do not think that these were dead crabs, just the way the woman at the market prepares them.  I may go back and get 1/2 doz anyway.  Any suggestions on how to cook them would be most appreciated.

[jack1747]

Bob, look here http://www.blue-crab.org/yabbse/index.php?board=17;action=display;threadid=1035

[bob]

Thanks Jack but I already know how to cook regular softies.  What I am asking is, should I do these topless ones the same way???

[Crabslayer]

What's the point.  Most of the flavor is inside the shell.

[CRABGUY]

LIKE HANK HILL SAYS "TASTE THE MEAT NOT THE HEAT"
EAT THE MEAT NOT THE GUTS

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED THE TOPLESS CRABS
THERE WILL BE PLENTY AT THE RNC PARTY

[Crabslayer]

NO GUTS NO GLORY.  AND MY CAPS ARE NOT STUCK.  

[Joe Crabs]

I'll bring you some Jersey crabs, suck that down, we will see if you change your mind.

[Crabslayer]

That's why I only eat MD crabs.  

[Joe Crabs]

Good Move.

[Black Irish]

Thanks Jack but I already know how to cook regular softies.  What I am asking is, should I do these topless ones the same way???

I would cook them the same way, why not. But like others have already said, be darn sure they're freshly cleaned and haven't been hanging around too long...