Lobster rolls might be one of my favorite summer foods, but lobster meat is really expensive and, for me, hard to find. I have to special order it if I want some sweet, cold-water lobster meat, and usually you have to order a lot to get free shipping. If you can find live cold-water lobsters, they’re usually cheaper, but then you’re tasked with… you know… sending them into their next life, which I really, really don’t enjoy. Enter: langostines. The not-lobster shell fish that tastes like lobster (maybe even better than lobster), and that I’ve been able to find for about half the price of loose lobster meat, conveniently in my local grocery store (Publix, or Club Pub for those in the know). So today, we’re making some over-stuffed rolls with the most delicious lemony herb langostino salad, for a better, budget “lobster” roll experience. Take that, inflation!
Make the herb mayo. In a large bowl, combine the mayo, lemon juice and zest, celery, herbs, celery leaves and seeds and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.
Prep the meat. Dry the langostino by gently pressing between a couple of double layered paper towels. Repeat 2-3 times until the meat is sufficiently dry. Watery meat = watered down “lobster” salad. No bueno! Add the meat to the herb mayo and toss to combine.
Toast the buns. Heat a large pan over medium heat, then spread ½ tsp of butter onto both sides of each split top bun and toast on each buttered side until golden brown.
Assemble and devour! Pile the lobster salad into each of the split top buns and eat immediately!
Notes
This amount of meat can easily make 6 “lobster” rolls as well, you’ll just need more butter + buns!
The brand of langostines that I bought is by Pier 33 Gourmet, and I got it from Publix – $13 for 8oz, making it about half the price of the same amount of lobster meat. You can find Pier 33 Gourmet products (not sponsored) at Publix, Shoprite, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Trader Joe’s, Schnuk’s, Giant Eagle, Price Chopper, and Pricesmart.
If you can’t find langostine, use the same amount of shrimp or crawfish instead!
MICRONUTRIENT HIGHLIGHTS
The full micronutrient information for langostines aren’t super readily available, other than what the FDA requires to be included on nutrition labels: 96% vitamin D, 16% iron, 11% calcium, 10% potassiumHowever, the internet says that langostines are also a good source of iodine, vitamins B12 + E, phosphorus, copper, selenium, and Omega 3’s (Omega’s aren’t technically micronutrients, but whatever).
I'm a big eater, a huge fan of pasta (and mac n cheese), and I'm on a mission to prove that indulgence and balance can exist well together without silly restrictions or dieting. Life's too short to eat bad food!
