When Dr. Ronald Taylor tells you that he has butterflies in his stomach, that's exactly what he means.

He has real butterflies.

In his stomach.

In fact he wrote a book by that title several years ago, explaining how and why we should utilize the protein food offered by creepy crawlies.  

Common California garden snails, we are told, are every bit as succulent as the European variety, but I'm not sure that even garlic butter is going to do much for the Snohomish County Slug.

I once saw a television chef serve up termite pilaf, bee won tons and grasshopper bread.  I want to be on the other side of the room when the chef tries to entice 97 bees into a hot wok.

I know, I know.  Chances are I eat foods a lot more threatening than cricket thighs and moth wings.  But don't start out by bad-mouthing the Dungeness crab.

I realize that they are classified among the scavengers of the deep and I know you have to be suspicious of anything that walks sideways and looks cross-eyed.  But a few years ago some marine scientists examined the stomachs of some Dungeness crabs found in Puget Sound waters.  Who knows?   They may have pulled a few out of the waters surrounding the Edmonds fishing pier.

The scientists reported that they found traces of clams, fish, squid and starfish.  Apparently when the crab engages in a game of pinchie-pinchie he gets downright serious because the crabs were also found to have been munching on other crabs,

"But contrary to common belief," the scientific report concluded, "Dungeness crab will not utilize food in putrid condition.

Well, heck, I knew that.  Anything awash in melted butter that tastes that good couldn't have any major vices.  Which is a good thing for seafood lovers in our neighborhood.  

Local supermarkets frequently feature specials on Dungeness crab.  You can buy them live out of the tank at some Asian markets in Snohomish County, but just be careful that you don't inadvertently get involved in those games of pinchie-pinchie, which the scientists describe.

And, from the number of crab pots I've seen tossed off the Edmonds fishing pier, I guess some locals hit the occasional jackpot.  If not they can often find fresh crab at the bait shop and market in the Edmonds Marina.

Jumbo Dungeness crabs are sometimes pricey.  But Dr. Ronald Taylor might have had a recession like this one in mind when he assured us that butterflies are free.