1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large mixing bowl, combine the celery, green pepper, scallions, parsley, crab meat (with all cartilage removed), 1½ cups of the crushed crackers, salt, mustard, a few drops of Tabasco, the cream and ½ cup of the melted butter. Mix together gently but thoroughly with a large spoon and taste for seasoning.
2. Spoon the mixture into a buttered 1½-quart casserole and sprinkle the remaining cracker crumbs evenly over the top. Dribble over it the remaining butter and bake the casserole in the upper third of the oven for about ½ hour, or until the crumbs are golden brown. Serve at once, directly from the casserole.
