Ama-ebi.... literally translated "sweet shrimp".

Nothing could be more accurate to describe this delicacy on the sushi menu.

The good sushi joints pluck the critter LIVE from a tank, separate the tail meat, then serve the butterflied tails as nigiri. Like Neal said, the heads are then coated and deep fired til absolutely crisp.... legs, gills, antennae and all. INCREDIBLE!

I think you're more likely to get sick from the nasty-ass catfood concoction most folks mix together for bait than any native parasites in the shrimp.

I'd think to avoid any off-taste in the heads, a guy should let em sit in aerated saltwater for a while to digest any of that nastiness still trapped in their mouth/esophagus/stomach.