13 shell recipes

Turtle shells are a novelty edible-insect snack: cooked cicadas dipped in warm chocolate glaze and cooled into crunchy, chocolate-topped morsels. A bold entry into entomophagy for the adventurous.

Cornmeal pie shell made with flour, cornmeal, and shortening. A sturdy, subtly sweet crust ideal for savory Southwest pies, quiches, or fruit tarts.

Puff pastry patty shells (vol-au-vent cases) with golden flaky walls and a hollow center for creamy fillings. Two-ingredient pastry cases that bake sky-high from frozen rounds.

Yeast-risen dessert pizza shells made with apple juice in the dough, shaped like individual tart shells and baked crisp. Top with ricotta, fresh fruit, nuts, and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Light-as-air meringue kisses and edible shells made from egg whites, powdered sugar, and almond extract. Fill the shells with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

The crust is a filled Italian bread shell loaded with tasty "toppings". Hearty and vegetarian!

Lower calorie pie shell with less shortening than traditional crusts. Three simple ingredients, one hour chill, and a flaky crust for any pie recipe.

This recipe is delicious but might be too barbaric for some.

This sorbet, based simply on commercially canned pears, can be enhanced with the flavor of eau-de-vie de poire (pear liqueur) or, if preferred, with fresh lemon juice.

Soft shell crabs stuffed with cheese, breaded, and baked in tomato sauce until crispy on top and melty inside. A Chesapeake Bay classic that's easier than frying.

Grilled soft-shell crab sandwiches: whole crabs grilled hot for two and a half minutes per side, piled onto rolls with green chile aioli, mixed greens, and sliced tomato.

Chicken and spinach stuffed shells pulverize cooked chicken breast with Italian seasoning, fennel, and spinach into a savory paste, then bake inside jumbo pasta shells under your favorite sauce.

Crispy beer battered soft shell crabs soaked in milk, fried golden, and served with a punchy Asian dipping sauce of fish sauce, lime, honey, and chili. Restaurant-worthy seafood at home.