Kanikama

Kanikama or Kani Kamaboko is a type of processed seafood product commonly found in Japanese cuisine. It is also known as imitation crab meat due to its resemblance to the leg meat of snow crab. Kanikama is a staple ingredient in many Japanese dishes such as sushi, sashimi, and salads.

History

Kanikama was first produced in Japan in the early 1970s as a cost-effective alternative to expensive crab meat. The product was created by the surimi industry, which specializes in creating imitation seafood products from fish paste.

Production

The primary ingredient in Kanikama is surimi, a paste made from white fish such as Alaska pollock or Pacific whiting. The surimi is mixed with other ingredients such as starch, egg whites, sugar, salt, and crab flavoring to create the final product. The mixture is then shaped and colored to resemble crab leg meat.

Usage

Kanikama is used in a variety of dishes in Japanese cuisine. It is a common ingredient in California roll, a type of sushi roll that also includes avocado and cucumber. Kanikama is also used in Chirashi, a dish where sushi ingredients are scattered over a bowl of sushi rice. In addition, it can be used in salads, stir-fries, and noodle dishes.

Nutrition

While Kanikama is lower in protein and omega-3 fatty acids compared to real crab meat, it is also lower in cholesterol and sodium. It is a good source of dietary protein and can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.

See also

• Surimi
• Sushi
• Japanese cuisine