I'm sure some of you have read about this recently in the Portland Press Herald. Most of you realize that our families and friends have recently been devestated by the local lobster market. Many of these hard working people are facing a very difficult time with a long hard winter ahead.
I know the woman that is putting this project together and this cause is one I find very worthy.
We all have our favorite lobster recipes. If you have one that you would like to contribute, please contact her.
Monique Coombs of Orrs Island has seen what's happened to the lobster industry first-hand because she is married to a lobsterman.
Lobster, she says, is "like the new chicken, because it's so cheap."
About a month ago, Coombs decided she wanted to do something to help fishermen during these tough economic times, when prices are lower than a grain of sand on a lobster tail. She decided to try putting together a lobster-themed cookbook.
"I like to cook," Coombs said. "Initially I just thought it would be one of those spiral-bound fundraising cookbooks people do for PTAs, but it's turned into something bigger than that."
Chefs are volunteering recipes and tips, including Maine Lobster Chef of the Year Margaret Salt McLellan.
"I've asked a few chefs to write about cooking with lobster -- boiling versus steaming, barbecuing on the grill, good foods to pair with lobsters," Coombs said.
Sections of the book will shed light on issues within the lobster industry, such as why it is important to buy from a local dealer or directly from a lobstermen, as opposed to going to a big business, Coombs said. There will be information on Maine's fishing laws and illustrations of how lobstermen are trying to fish sustainably.
Mostly, the book will offer ideas and recipes for cooking with lobster, and Coombs wants your input. If you have a great family recipe that uses lobster, a secret trick for working with it, or a great idea for foods to pair with lobster, Coombs wants to hear from you.
All proceeds from the book, called "Lobsters on the Fly," will be donated to the Maine Lobstermen's Association to help Maine fishing families in need. The title of the book was suggested by Coombs' brother, who is an executive chef in Las Vegas.
"It's a cooking term," Coombs said. "If you're in the kitchen and someone says I need this on the fly, it means they need it double-quick. It means they needed it 10 minutes ago."
The book is being funded by advertising and sponsorships. Deby Stubbs, a Maine photographer, is providing the photos.
For more information, or to contribute a recipe, contact Coombs at "Lobsters on the Fly," P.O. Box 73, Orr's Island, ME 04066, or e-mail her at
lobstersonthefly@gmail.com
Welcome to City-Data.com forum! Make sure to register - it's free and very quick! You have to register before you can post and participate in our discussions with 700,000 other registered members. User profiles and some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your free account you will be able to customize many options, you will have the full access to over 15,000 posts/day about local topics and you will see fewer ads. 
Please help our local Maine lobstermen
Linear Mode
