What to Do With Prawn Heads

The perfect ingredient for any seafood dish.

Turning Seafood Scraps into Culinary Gold

When you indulge in the succulent delight of fresh prawns, the focus is often on their tender meat. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a curious home cook, you’ll soon discover the secret to transforming prawn heads into exquisite dishes that burst with flavour and depth. Join us as we explore creative ways to turn them into mouthwatering delights that elevate your seafood cuisine.

Unlocking the Essence: Crafting Flavourful Prawn Stock

Consider this before dismissing prawn heads as mere scraps: they are key  to crafting a rich andaromatic prawn stock, which Prawn is a versatile base for many dishes, from seafood soups to risotto. Here’s how to create your own prawn stock:

1. Gather Ingredients:

• Prawn shells and heads (leftover from peeling)
• Onion, garlic, and other aromatic vegetables
• Olive oil
• Water

2. Preparation:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add diced onions, garlic, and other vegetables. Sauté until fragrant.

3. Enhance the Flavor:

• Add leftover prawn heads and shells to the pot and cook until they turn pink and release their aroma.

4. Create the Stock:

• Pour in water to cover the prawn heads and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Reduce heat and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld.

5. Strain and Store:

• Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the stock, discarding the solids.
• Store the prawn stock in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for a longer shelf life

Elevating Your Culinary Creations: Delectable Uses for Prawn Stock

Now that you have your homemade prawn stock, let’s explore the ways you can infuse its intense flavour into your dishes:

1. Flavourful Soups:

• Replace regular broth with prawn stock to create luxurious seafood bisques or hearty chowders.

2. Risottos and Pasta:

• Use prawn stock as the cooking liquid for risottos, giving them a depth of taste that’s hard to resist.

3. Stir-Fries and Noodle Dishes:

• Add a splash of prawn stock to your stir-fries and noodle dishes for an umami-packed boost.

4. Enhanced Sauces and Gravies:

• Elevate your sauces and gravies by incorporating prawn stock, adding complexity to every spoonful.

From Waste to Delicacy: Crafting Prawn Oil

Prawn oil is a lesser-known gem that can be extracted from shrimp heads and shrimp shells. This aromatic oil can be drizzled over dishes or used as a cooking medium, imparting a deep seafood essence. Here’s how to create your own prawn oil:

1. Ingredients:

• Prawn heads and shells
• Olive oil

2. Preparation:

• In a deep pan, warm olive oil over medium-high heat.

3. Infusion:

• Add prawn heads and shells to the oil. Deep fry them until they turn crispy and golden.

4. Strain and Store:

• Remove prawn bits with a slotted spoon and strain the oil through a fine mesh sieve.
• Store the prawn oil in a glass container for up to a month.

Embrace the Crunch: Crispy Fried Prawn Heads

If you’re in the mood for a unique snack or garnish, crispy fried prawn heads are the answer. Their delicate crunch and intense flavour make them a delightful treat. Here’s how to prepare them:

1. Preparation:

• Heat oil in a deep fryer or a deep pan over high heat.

2. Frying:

• Drop prawn heads into the hot oil and fry them until golden and crisp.

3. Draining:

• Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried prawn heads from the oil and let them drain on paper towels.

4. Seasoning:

• While still warm, season the crispy prawn heads with a pinch of salt.

Environmental and Nutritional Benefits of Prawn Heads

Beyond their culinary delights, utilising prawn heads offers environmental and nutritional advantages. By using the leftovers of prawn heads and shells, you actively reduce waste and embrace a more sustainable approach to your kitchen practices.Additionally, prawn heads contain a surprising amount of nutrients and minerals. Packed with valuable elements such as protein, essential minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, they are ready to infuse your dishes with both flavour and a nourishing boost for a truly wholesome dining experience.

Nutritional Benefits of Prawn Heads

Protein

Prawn heads are a good source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. A 100-gram serving of prawn heads contains about 17 grams of protein.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Prawn heads are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow. A 100-gram serving of prawn heads contains about 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids.

Vitamins and minerals

Prawn heads are also a great source of vitamins and minerals, including:

• Vitamin B12: essential for red blood cell production and nerve function.
• Niacin: helps to convert food into energy and is important for skin health.
• Phosphorus: important for bone health and energy production.
• Selenium: an antioxidant that helps to protect cells from damage.
• Zinc:important for immune function and wound healing.

Calcium and chitin

The shells of prawn heads are a rich source of calcium, essential for maintaining strong bones and overall health. Additionally, they contain chitin, a remarkable compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,

Environmental Benefits of Using Prawn Heads

Prawn heads and shells

Prawn heads and shells are often discarded after the prawns have been eaten. This wastes resources, as they contain valuable nutrients and can be used to make various dishes.

Using prawn heads and shells to make stock, oil, or other dishes can help reduce food waste and protect the environment.

Here are some of the environmental benefits of using prawn heads:

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions: Food waste production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. By using prawn heads and shells, you can help to reduce these emissions.
• Reduces water pollution: Food waste in landfills decomposes and releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. By using prawn heads and shells, you can help to reduce water pollution.
• Reduces land degradation: Food waste in landfills takes up space and can contaminate soil and water. By using prawn heads and shells, you can help to reduce land degradation.

Prawn Heads in Your Kitchen

From crafting flavourful prawn stock to indulging in crispy fried prawn heads, these once-overlooked gems have proven their worth in the culinary world. Now armed with the knowledge of transforming prawn heads into culinary masterpieces, you’re ready to embark on a journey of gastronomic creativity. At Manettas Seafood Market, we’re passionate about providing you with the finest seafood experiences. As your trusted source for premium Australian seafood, we invite you to explore our selection of fresh prawns and other delectable offerings. Unleash your creativity in the kitchen and let the flavours of the ocean come to life.