Centolla fueguina

Centolla fueguina is an exceptionally flavored crustacean of the crab family Lithodes santolla, also known as Southern king crab or Tierra del Fuego crab, native across the southern coasts of Argentina and Chile. The best-known fishing grounds with the highest quality of crab are found in the Beagle Channel in the south of Argentina.

The crab’s sweet, delicately flavored meat found in the long legs and the red, spiky shell is widely regarded as one of the best crab meat in the world. A gastronomic delight, centolla fueguina is undisputedly one of the most famous regional delicacies of the Tierra del Fuego province, served in restaurants all over the region.

Once removed from the cold water, the crab has to be prepared or frozen immediately as its meat is very delicate and highly susceptible to deterioration. Its natural flavor shows off best when cooked plain, with no added flavors or sauces, but it is nonetheless used in the preparation of a variety of delicious crab dishes, such as crab gratins, casseroles, ceviche dishes, tarts, or crêpes, to name a few.