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Wednesday 26 October 2016

Oysters anyone?

Those fresh, briny molluscs, eaten raw in oyster bars and fine restaurants, are not my favourite. While I have sampled a few, I don't understand the fascination with consuming live food. It's all about the taste of the ocean, according to oyster aficionados, who also relish the liquor of briny water which bathes the flesh on the half shell sitting on ice.

Should one chew this morsel? First timers often are encouraged to let the oyster and liquor slide down their throats. Long time oyster consumers usually chew them. I was a slider. Ocean taste? I couldn't get past the idea of raw, living flesh and the texture as it slid over my tongue. I was not familiar with them from my youth in Newfoundland though other Newfoundlanders are. Here in Prince Edward Island, people know oysters and consume them raw, by the dozens, as the beaches can testify. 

 

Cooked oysters are more to my liking. 

However, on the last morning of summer this year, we saw oyster fishers busy in Foxley Bay, 

 

using their oyster tongs to rake the molluscs from the bottom of the bay. They don't get any fresher than this!

 

On deck, the fishers separated the tongs releasing the oysters, measured the shells and returned the undersize oysters back to the bay. Those large enough went to market.

 

That day was sunny and warm, with the slightest breeze. Fishers so close to land were an unusual sight as they raked the oysters off the floor of the bay. People stopped to watch and photograph the unusual scene which denoted island history and tradition, low tech, in a modern world. 

Where is that recipe for Oysters Rockefeller? 


16 comments:

DJan said...

I had a raw oyster because my dad made me eat it, once long ago. That was the last one. These pictures are really neat, though. Glad some people like them raw. My dad sure did. :-)

Elephant's Child said...

I never got past the consuming something live thing. Wimp? Perhaps.
Love the photos though.

Marie Smith said...

I don't understand the enjoyment of them raw but to each her own. It was a great sight, Jan!

Marie Smith said...

It was a beautiful sight with so much history behind it, EC. And the day was incredible too. I wasn't tempted to try raw oysters again though.

Anvilcloud said...

I am happy to pass on oysters in any way shape or form.

Tomoko said...

I like raw oysters dipped in soy sauce and vinegar. And actually, today's dinner recipe is fried oysters!!

Marie Smith said...

You are not alone but there are lots who love them too.

Marie Smith said...

Oh Tomoko. Wish I liked the livng ones but just can't get past the living part. Dinner's menu sounds lovely though.

Ginnie said...

Oh, Gosh Marie, you've reminded me of a very embarrassing experience I had on my honeymoon having to do with raw oysters ... If I have the nerve I will make it a blog entry !! Your pictures, as always, are amazing.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Oysters aren't something I have ever tasted, somehow I don't think I will! Love your photos.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you for saying that about the pictures, Ginnie. I quite love those!

Marie Smith said...

Thank you, Ann. Cooked oysters are quite good.

The Furry Gnome said...

I've never seen how they fish for pysters before. Interesting.

Marie Smith said...

It is interesting and visible from shore which is a bonus, FG.

Barbara said...

Interesting. I didn't realize oyster fishing was in smaller boats or that they could be so close together. Learn something new every day.

Marie Smith said...

It was news to me too, Barbara.