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Yes, it is a ‘Forrest Gump’ reference and it should be predicted any time shrimp is discussed for the next twenty years. “Bubba Gump” shrimp is how Forrest made his millions in the Hollywood movie. But, the flick will always be remembered for the extraordinary variety of way an individual can make shrimp. As Bubba would say, “There’s barbecue shrimp, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp soup, fried shrimp….the list is sort of unending. And while there are certainly a giant number of ways to cook shrimp, there’s basically a fair amount of confusion as to what exactly a shrimp really is. Perhaps Bubba wasn’t really cooking shrimp?

In Britain and a number of other places, what would be called shrimp in the U. S. is basically called as prawn. If you were to look at a prawn and a shrimp side by side, it might be most unlikely to distinguish which was which. Technically talking a prawn truly is not a shrimp.

To the bare eye, the two may appear identical but they’re biologically different. On the abdomen of a shrimp or prawn are flaps. Without going into too much detail and causing everyone to go running for a Biology book, let’s just say that the there is a very difference difference between the first abdomen flap on a shrimp and a prawn. But fundamentally, these are the same creature.

As far as the Yankees are concerned, a shrimp is any crustacean that is part of the Natantia family of crustaceans. It does not matter how gigantic the shrimp is or where it is found-so long as it’s a Nantantia crustacean-it’s a shrimp! However, there’s a rather peculiar phenomenon among Yank shrimp that does have to do with size.

Were Bubba to have grown up on the West Coast of the US, he actually would not have seen much potential in the shrimp-for eating, let alone making any money! The reason is because the classic size of a shrimp found of the West Coast is about in. in length. For some reason, the Pacific Ocean just is not a good place for jumbo shrimp to grow. But somewhere else, it is nothing for shrimp to be 12 inches in length or more.

Shrimp, like any species, comes in a wide assortment of variety. There are rock, brine, royal red, white, brown, and even pink shrimp to choose from. Each offers a unique flavor and consistency but all are absolutely delicious when prepared properly. And, Bubba was correct-you can make shrimp just about any way your imagination will let you! So whether you want to call it prawn or just plain old shrimp-the truth is that it tastes great no matter how you make it!.

For more information about food and useful cooking tips, check out cooking101.org and also have a look at recipe for shrimp coconut.

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