Garlic Crabs

Description
This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Henson Estate in Dallas, Texas in 1982.
 * Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

Ingredients

 * 24 blue crabs
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
 * 6 cloves garlic slivered
 * 6 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
 * 4 tablespoons olive oil
 * 1½ cups water
 * melted butter for dipping

Directions

 * 1) Remove top shells, front plates and bottom flaps of crabs.
 * 2) Remove anything that is not white meat.
 * 3) Leave the large claws attached to the bodies.
 * 4) Place crabs in a large pot in four layers sprinkling each layer with salt, pepper, garlic slivers, ginger and one tablespoon olive oil.
 * 5) Pour in water and cover.
 * 6) Steam for 10 minutes.
 * 7) Serve crabs and broth with melted butter for dipping.