Nothing quite marks the start of the summer season like the opening of spot prawn season in B.C.
These sweet morsels are not just delicious, they are sustainable, too. Listed a "Best Choice" by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program, trap-caught spot prawns come from a plentiful, healthy population.
Saturday marks the 7th Annual B.C. Spot Prawn Festival, a free event at Vancouver's Fisherman's Wharf on False Creek, where you can watch chef demonstrations, buy prawns fresh-off-the-boat, enjoy live music and a kids' play area.
Of course, when you get those critters home - and they are best cooked alive - you'll want to know how to prepare them. And while there's nothing wrong with a simple boil or steam, you might feel like kicking things up a notch.
With that in mind, we have compiled some delicious recipes from B.C. chefs to inspire and tempt you. Will it be Rob Feenie's pasta, or Wild Rice's spot prawn har gow? Tableau's posh corn dogs, or Araxi's sophisticated tortelloni?
Tickle your taste buds with our gallery:
