Even though lobster was so plentiful in the Atlantic that it used to be called “the poor man’s dinner,” fresh lobster has become one of the hallmarks of fine dining around the world. Maine lobstermen have perfected the art of shipping live lobster throughout the U.S and Europe, making it available year round in many cases. Restaurants rely on Maine lobster companies to ship door-to-door, and fortunately, many of those lobster companies will ship directly to your door as well.
Alternatives to Boiling Live Lobster at Home
One thing holding many home cooks back from cooking with lobster is the fact that if you want to eat fresh lobster at home, you have to dispatch the lobster at home. If you’d rather not deal with this, you can buy frozen lobster online or at a local upscale grocery store. Frozen lobster will keep well for 9 to 12 months, meaning you can watch for a sale and buy it in advance of a special occasion.
Look for lobster on sale in October or early November when retailers know people are beginning to plan holiday dinners. You can also find deals on frozen lobster in early spring, before people head to the beaches for summer vacation.
You can find more information on buying live lobsters at the Maine Lobster Promotional Council, 382 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine 04401 or through the Maine Lobster Advisory Council.