Seafood boil is not quite what it seems.

Seafood boil or seafood broil in the United States is the generic term for any number of types of social events in which shellfish, whether saltwater or freshwater, is the central element.

Seafood boil or seafood broil in the United States is the generic term for any number of types of social events in which shellfish, whether saltwater or freshwater, is the central element. Regional variations dictate the kinds of seafood, the accompaniments and side dishes, and the preparation techniques. In some cases, a boil may be sponsored by a community organization as a fund-raiser or a mixer. In this way, seafood boils are like a fish fry, barbecue, or church potluck supper. Boils are also held by individuals for their friends and family for a weekend get-together and on the holidays of Memorial Day and Independence Day. While boils and bakes are traditionally associated with coastal regions of the United States and its afrodescendant cultures, there are exceptions.