Unless you live in the bayou, or near a body of high-calcium, fresh water oxygenated by an underground spring, you probably buy your crawfish frozen. Crustaceans' internal organs decompose rapidly after death, so you can only buy precooked, whole frozen crawfish.

Because shrimp is highly perishable, it is often sold frozen in large bags. Shrimp defrosts quickly during the cooking process and retains its flavor. Buy deveined frozen shrimp if you plan to cook it without thawing it first. Otherwise, thaw the shrimp and devein them yourself prior to cooking.

Like any shellfish, crabs are highly perishable and their quality deteriorates quickly once they're taken from the sea. In populous coastal areas it's possible to buy good quality fresh crab, but in much of the country, the best option is frozen snow crab or king crab legs.

For busy cooks who want to put healthful meals on the table in a hurry, a freezer filled with salmon portions can be a great comfort. Its mild but rich flavor makes it a versatile ingredient. Its high levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids make it a virtuous option.

Crawfish are freshwater crustaceans that are related to and resemble lobsters, only smaller. They are found in running streams and brooks where water is constantly moving, feeding on smaller animals and plants. They are used as bait to catch other fish by humans and also eaten all over the world.

Eating shrimp is a tasty way to get protein, iron and selenium without a lot of calories or fat. You can easily prepare frozen shell-on shrimp by thawing and then boiling them on your stove-top.

Hake is the star of many sauteed and oven-baked dishes, but this meaty fish also stands up well to the rigors of grilling. Similar to cod, hake is low in mercury and provides plenty of lean protein. As a bonus, the relatively small demand for this fish keeps its prices down.

The term “rockfish” actually encompasses about 70 varieties. The fish sometimes goes by names such as “rock cod,” “black bass” or “Pacific ocean perch.” Regardless of the name, these fillets have common features -- a lean consistency and a fine, flaky texture that lends itself to baking.

Smoked salmon is a tender delicacy that is as versatile as it is tasty. You can use smoked salmon in dishes for any meal from breakfast to a late-night snack.

Octopus is a tasty, healthy, lean seafood that can sometimes be tough when cooked. By tenderizing the meat before cooking and then cooking the octopus in its own juices, you can break down the tough muscle fibers and preserve the juiciness of the meat, resulting in a moist and tender meal that isn't chewy.

Shrimp cooks quickly, and overcooked shrimp can be tough, rubbery and dry. As soon as the shrimp is pink, it's done. Jumbo shrimp takes about 7 minutes to cook, large shrimp about 5 minutes and medium shrimp cook in 3 to 4 minutes. Shrimp smaller than medium can take as little as 1 minute to cook.

Clams can be a beneficial food to include in your diet, as they are moderately low in calories and rich in protein. However, eating too many clams can have detrimental effects, as some of the nutrients clams provide can be harmful in large doses.