These crustaceans have been misnamed for two reasons: First, they’re not true crabs, like blue crabs, in that they don’t have a uniformly hard exoskeleton and can’t grow their own shells.

Barbecue crab is a dish steeped in Gulf Coast traditions and family legacy. Unlike the slow-smoked meats associated with Texas barbecue, these crabs aren’t actually smoked or slathered in sauce.