Silly Key West Question.

[margaritaville_buoy]

I have been doing lots of research for our 7-29-2006 western. This will be our first ever cruise. In reading information on Key West, I have came across several references to "Conch Fritters". I cannot seem to locate any information on them, other than they seem extremely popular. Anyone care to let a cruise rookie in on what these are? Thanks in advance.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Conch (pronounced 'konk') is a common name for certain large marine snails. They are gastropod mollusks, the most commercially important of which are in the family Strombidae.

These are a seafood fritter made with the conch (snails).

They are made with corn meal or I've had some with other flour type substance.

Have you ever had apple critters? Or little hush puppies? Imagine something like that with conch "meat".

Hope that helps.

They are yummy if made right. At least I like them!

 

[Capt_BJ]

http://www.foodreference.com/html/conchfritr.html

 

[jjbescher]

If you like Seafood, Conch Fritters are very good.

 

[webray]

Think if the seashells, the ones you hold up to your ear to listen to the ocean.

If you want some great, fresh conch fritters head over to Bo's fish market. It is a wonderful place, and a place you need to see..lol. The fish is fresh daily and the food fantastic.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Key West is the "Conch Republic"...Conchs are BIG snails...They are very pretty and very tasty!
http://www.conchrepublic.com/

 

[pdarrah]

Before last year's cruise my DS (5 at the time) saw a show on either the food or the travel channel (I don't remember which) about the "Best" vacation food. One of the segments was on Conch Fritters in Key West and he announced that since the Disney boat was going to Key West, he wanted to try them. He didn't forget his plan, but when we got to Key West he really, really wanted to play in the kid club on board so we agreed to pick him up some conch fritters and bring them back. We ate lunch at Bo's Fish Wagon and I had the conch fritters so I would have some to bring back. I enjoyed them, but I wouldn't say they were my favorite thing ever. Anyway, I brought a couple back to the ship in my purse for DS. The following photos are the before and after! It may just be that they were just luke-warm by then, but he DID NOT like them. Fortunately, he still likes trying new things and his plan for this year is to try Escargot.

pdarrah

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Fortunately, he still likes trying new things and his plan for this year is to try Escargot.
pdarrah

I tricked my ex-BF on our cruise...told him that the escargot was chicken...he loved them...till after dinner I told him what he really ate...LOL!!

 

[Kimmielee]

I had my little guy (DS - 5) out too late one night.... long story... and by the time we stopped for dinner at McCormick and Schmits (sp)... very nice restaurant... not a big "kids menu" ....

We ordered calamari ... he ate almost all of it himself. He had no idea... I think he was just so starved it didn't matter what it was...

I'm hoping to get him to try more new things.... good luck with the escargot!

 

[snelsonbrown]

I wanted to just say thanks to those that put pictures of the conch shell here (they always pick me up when I am homesick for home) - Conch fritters have always been very popular with the Key West folks - I remember when they were so plentiful, it wasn't anything for anyone to wade out into the ocean, pick them and then bring them home to be cooked in a many variety ways - me I will eat them, but for some reason never quite liked them - I know here I am a 4 generation conch and didn't like eating conchs - now if you really want to try a fritter that is awesome, you can go to 5 brothers grocery store on Southard and Grinnell Street and get a bag of Boittos or Boyos pronounced BO-YO ----its a cuban fritter that is awesome BUT must be eaten hot - you get a soda to go with it - sit outside of the store with the other conchs and you will really get a taste of what Norm and I grew up with both company and food. Growing up in Key West was quite a treat and knowing that we could never go without eating as long as we were living on the island for we could almost pick our choice of dinner every day from the ocean or gulf - yep growing up in Key West was really a paradise.
Anyhow happy hunting
Always
Shirley and Norm
2 ol' conchs

 

[wltdsnyfan]

I have been doing lots of research for our 7-29-2006 western. This will be our first ever cruise.

Welcome to the 7-29-09 Western cruise. Come join the thread on the cruise meets board. There are a few other people going on that cruise to. iNcluding me and my family.

It is called:
Any one on 7-29-06 / 7 Night Western!!!

Here is the link. Don't know if it will work.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=875518&referrerid=56698

 

[lilo62]

When my DH and I did the Kyacking excursion on Castaway Cay - one of our guides caught one and ate it raw. She broke it into pieces for some of us to try - I don't eat seafood, so my DH was the taster - he liked it!