Seafood Delights of Cape Town

Drooling at Seafood Temptations

As I strolled past tables and benches of hungry diners, my nose became infused with delectable aromas. If temptation has a smell it must be prawns sizzling in garlic. I sniffed enviously as the pink juicy prawns passed right under my nose and I visibly drooled at the sight of bright red crayfish, crispy calamari and a plate of good old fish and chips.

My resistance to temptation utterly failed me and I had to sit down under the shade of an umbrella with a cool drink before being able to sensibly decide between menus offering such innovative dishes as mussels in champagne and saffron, baby calamari stuffed with shrimp and crabmeat, cajun sushi, angelfish pate and smoked crocodile tail with granadilla and orange dressing.

Lobster Worth its Weight in Gold

Crayfish (rock lobster) must be the most desirable of all seafoods. This melt-in-the-mouth delicacy was once very cheap in the Cape but is now referred to in the markets as 'Diamonds and Gold' or 'Red Gold'. Its shell glistens a vibrant red when cooked and it is almost worth its weight in gold.

High export demand means that even the local restaurateurs are forced to take their chances on availability and pay inflated prices. Price alone however, cannot keep a lobster-lover from enjoying his favourite meal. Have it cold with creamy fresh mayonnaise, grilled with garlic butter or baked in a cream and sherry sauce sprinkled with a touch of Parmesan.

The crayfish and perlemoen (abalone) season opens in the Cape each November and runs through to March or April. A permit is required to catch them but anybody can buy one. If catching your own makes it taste better, hire a boat and skipper in Hout Bay and head off towards a crayfish hot spot. The best locations are off the rocky shores towards Cape Point, which can get a little choppy to say the least.

If like me you have a tendency for seasickness, save yourself the discomfort. Instead of bobbing about on the waves, take a leisurely walk over to Snoekies Fish Market at the end of the docks and buy a couple of fresh crayfish at the best price you are likely to find.

Hout Bay is a major fishing port and the centre of the crayfishing fleet. Wandering around the harbour I was lucky enough to spot a little wooden fishing boat sidling quietly up to the dock.