Can You Tell Which of These Lobsters are Male and Which are Female?

I've been eating lobster for most of my adult life, but it wasn't until this weekend during our lobster and steamers feast at camp that I learned how to tell the difference between a male and a female lobster. 

I've never even cared whether or not the delicious lobster I was eating was male or female? I mean could they really taste any different? Well that depends on who you ask.

There are some tell tale signs to distinguish between a male and female lobster, and it's all in the tail. (See what I did there?)

Female lobsters have broader tails than males so they can store eggs. If you ever pick up a live lobster with black pellets in it's tail, those are the eggs or 'roe.' We had a few of lobsters that had eggs. I had no interest in eating them, but some say they are delicious and is a reason why they prefer female lobsters that have roe. It looks pretty gross.

But if you're curious and want to be sure you know if your lobster is a male of female, you have to take a look at the top set of feelers under the tail. If they are soft and crossed at the tips, that's a female. If they are hard, it's male. (Yeah, I snickered too.)

Now you know.

We also had steamers this weekend, which I love, especially when they are soaked in cornmeal before they go into the pot. The clams eat the cornmeal and expel all the dirt from their bellies giving you a grit-less and delicious steamer.

I somehow convinced my girlfriend Michele to try a steamer. This is the same woman who doesn't like cheese, so you can guess how this went.