SPINY LOBSTER

Spiny lobsters are found along the coast of California and Baja, California in Mexico. They have very long, thick and spiny antennae, but a complete lack of claws. These beautiful creatures live in crevices of rocks and coral reefs, only venturing out at night to hunt snails, clams, crabs, sea urchins or carrion. Sometimes they migrate en masse, in long files of lobsters across the sea floor. Potential predators may be deterred from attacking them my a loud screech made by the antennae rubbing against a smooth part of the exoskeleton. They seem to like each other exhibited by their social habits of being together.

The largest spiny lobster on record was of over three feet long and weighed 26 pounds.

Nobu Matsuhisa wrote in his book NOBU THE COOKBOOK: "In Mexico, I was impressed by how the flavor of stews and seafood soups was radically changed by the addition of jalapeno, cilantro and lemon as condiments. Japanese cooks wouldn't dream of adding jalapeno to a traditional lobster soup made with dashi, but i enjoy the freedom of juggling contrasting flavors, and I like spicy tastes. So I dropped in a bit of jalapeno and Spiny Lobster Soup is the result."