Last winter, just for fun, I entered a recipe contest sponsored by Family Circle Magazine and the National Pasta Association. The requirement was to send a pasta recipe that represented your state. Naturally, I created a crab recipe. I was really surprised when the recipe won for the state of Maryland and was also chosen as a regional winner. At that point, I had never even made the recipe! Here is my original recipe, and the clips from the November issue of Family Circle.

MARYLAND CRAB SHELLS

Serves: 6 to 8 people
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake: 350 for 30 minutes

1 package of jumbo shell pasta
1 pound of crab meat
1 tablespoon of green pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon of red onion, chopped
4 tablespoons of butter, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning
1 egg, beaten
2 cups milk, divided
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1. Preheat oven to 350 . Cook pasta as directed, drain and cool
2. While pasta is cooking, saute the green pepper and onion in 1 tablespoon melted butter until tender
3. Combine the crab meat with the spices, sauted vegetables, beaten egg, 1/2 cup of milk, and the mayonnaise
4. Spoon crab mixture into cooled shells
5. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 9" x 13" casserole dish; place stuffed shells in a single layer
6. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Over a low flame, stir in the flour with a wire whisk, then gradually adding 1 1/2 cups of milk
7. When sauce is smooth, stir in parmesan cheese. Drizzle sauce over the shells. Sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning
8. Bake for 30 minutes, until bubbling

Maryland is famous for its delicious blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay. Another spicy favorite from Maryland is Old Bay Seasoning - produced by McCormick & Co, Inc. in Hunt Valley, Md. This spice can now be purchased all over the country. I have combined these Maryland favorites into an easy to make pasta casserole. For family dinner or buffet suppers, it is a welcome change from the traditional beef and tomato sauce pasta combinations.