can you eat horseshoe crabs

Horseshoe crabs can be eaten, but only certain species are safe for consumption, and they must be properly prepared to avoid food poisoning. In some parts of East and Southeast Asia, horseshoe crabs are considered a delicacy, primarily eaten for their eggs or roe rather than their meat. The meat has a rubbery texture similar to lobster and a slightly salty aftertaste, but it is minimal and not highly prized. Preparation usually involves boiling and frying, with careful removal of toxic internal organs, as some parts can contain toxins like tetrodotoxin, which is not destroyed by heat. Consumption of certain species, like mangrove horseshoe crabs, is dangerous due to poison content. Overall, horseshoe crab consumption is not very common or sustainable, and caution is advised when eating them.