The Definition of Langostino
Langostino is the Spanish word for king prawn. It is pronounced lahn-gos-TEE-no. It is distinct from the Spanish word gamba, which is a feminine word that also means prawn, but more closely refers to what Americans call shrimp. Both shrimp and prawn are shellfish (crustaceans, to be exact), but they are not actually the same creature. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Prawn Versus Shrimp: Cultural Usage
-
In most places, what is known as shrimp in the United States is called prawn. In England and Australia, when the word shrimp is used, it is referring to tiny crustaceans. In the United States, the word prawn is now often used to refer to freshwater varieties of prawn and shrimp.
Popular Usage In Cuisine
-
In English restaurants, you'll most often see prawn on the menu. In the United States, you'll see shrimp. Increasingly they are used interchangeably. You'll find that situation also when looking at Spanish recipes translated to English: When you see the word langostino in the name of a Spanish recipe or the ingredient list calls for langostino(s), perhaps with prawn in parenthesis, use jumbo shrimp, which is known as king prawn in Europe. There should be 15 or less prawn -- or shrimp -- per pound to qualify.
-
Prawn Versus Shrimp: Biology
-
Prawns and shrimp are very similar. Besides being shellfish and crustaceans, both are decapods, which means ten-legged. Lobsters and crabs, too, are decapods. Prawns further belong to the suborder of Dendrobranchiata as compared to shrimp, which belong to the suborder of Pleocyemata, to which crabs and lobsters also belong. Shrimp are separated from those by their infraorder of Caridea. The abdominal plating of shrimp are different than that of prawn. Prawn also have a different gill structure and a different way of treating their eggs. Prawn let them go into currents to develop without help, while female shrimp brood them in a chamber under their abdomens.
Nutritional Value
-
Prawns are a great source of protein, are low in fat and contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. A 4-ounce portion only sets you back 112 calories while giving you almost half your daily recommended allowance of protein. Prawns also give you a lot of zinc, iodine, B12, potassium and iron. Shrimps provide the same nutritional value.
Prawns in Spanish Recipes
-
With the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic all lapping the shores of Spain, the country eats a lot of seafood. Shellfish, just like everywhere else in the world, is a popular choice, and the Spanish have many recipes using it. Prawns might be your main dish, part of one-dish meals like paella or served as tapas -- like appetizers, though sometimes served in groups as a whole meal. A delicious and simple tapas recipe featuring prawns is Gambas al Ajillo (garlic prawns). The prawns are cooked in olive oil or olive oil and butter with garlic and, perhaps, other flavorings such as lemon or salt. The heads might be left on or off. You'll want to have bread on hand to soak up the garlic and prawn-flavored oil.
-
