The Unseen Workers Behind Maryland’s Iconic Blue Crabs (Series, Part 2 of 6 with Barn Raiser)

Citation: Sangaramoorthy, Thurka. 2025. “The Unseen Workers Behind Maryland’s Iconic Blue Crabs.” Barn Raiser, July 28. https://barnraisingmedia.com/the-unseen-workers-behind-maryland-iconic-blue-crabs/.

Excerpt: “Few things symbolize Maryland’s culinary heritage more perfectly than blue crabs. Every summer, locals and tourists gather around newspaper-covered tables, armed with wooden mallets and picks, ready to crack open steamed crabs seasoned with Old Bay. These festive crab feasts represent more than just a meal—they’re cultural rituals where conversations flow, relationships deepen and Maryland’s maritime identity is celebrated.

Yet behind this beloved tradition lies a largely invisible workforce: the Mexican women who meticulously pick the sweet meat from these crustaceans, making Maryland’s iconic crab cakes and other delicacies possible.”