Working with Shellfish

The word “shellfish” (frutti di mare) is misleading: Unlike roundfish and flatfish, shellfish are invertebrate animals. They do not have backbones or internal skeletons, and their physiology differs somewhat from their finned brethren. Shellfish are high in protein, iron, and vitamin B, and they are lower in calories and unhealthy fat than land-dwelling proteins such as beef, lamb, pork, and poultry. Shellfish may be divided into three distinct categories: