My favorite aspect of oysters is how they can produce beautiful
pearls. How those pearls can become a beautiful necklace or other
piece of jewelry is amazing. My least favorite aspect of oysters
would probably be eating them. I have had many chances to try them,
but I have never taken the opportunity. Oysters can be served raw,
fried, steamed and smoked. Of course, oysters can also be
grilled.
My favorite aspect of oysters is how they can produce beautiful pearls. How those pearls can become a beautiful necklace or other piece of jewelry is amazing. My least favorite aspect of oysters would probably be eating them. I have had many chances to try them, but I have never taken the opportunity. Oysters can be served raw, fried, steamed and smoked. Of course, oysters can also be grilled.
One of my earliest memories I recall about oysters goes back many years. Right about this same time of year, my mother and uncle Sam would get together and eat a few oysters. They had oyster knives, newspaper spread on the table a few condiments such as hot sauce and lemon and a pile of oysters. A special trip to Monterey to purchase oysters as fresh as possible was required for this meal. It is important to buy oysters as fresh as possible when eating them raw.
I, however, was just a spectator at my aunt Vicky and uncle Sam’s house when this took place. An oyster knife would be placed in just the right place between the two shells and moved a little so it could be shucked. The shell opened to reveal the oval shaped piece of meat, a condiment would be added, and in one slurp, the oyster and oyster liquor (juice) would be eaten.
On many occasions, I was offered one of the oysters to try for myself. Back then I thought to myself, “People don’t eat things like this raw!” The funny thing is that I wouldn’t touch a raw oyster, but I have eaten raw tuna and salmon as sushi and raw beef prepared as carpaccio.
More recently, I had the opportunity to try oysters cooked, but declined. I know that oysters are similar to clams, and I don’t care too much for clams. So for that reason, I never wanted to try oysters, either.
This is where grilled oysters come into the picture. Oysters had their place on the grill many years ago for my family, but while vacationing on the Oregon coast, my parents rediscovered grilled oysters. One of the stops on my parents camping expedition is outside of Coos Bay, Oregon. Coos Bay is home to an oyster farm and processing plant. The public can purchase freshly harvested oysters for a fair price at this facility. Additionally, time may be reserved for a tour and a free oyster tasting. Next time I visit, I plan on a factory and oyster-bed tour.
Once the oysters are at the campsite, the campfire is stoked, the outside of the oyster shells are cleaned in fresh water, French bread is sliced and garlic butter is sauteed. A grate is placed over the campfire and the oysters are grilled directly in the shell. After the oysters are opened, they take just a few minutes to become fully cooked. The oysters are removed from the fire and allowed to cool slightly. When removing the oysters, take care not to spill any of the oyster liquor, as some individuals may like this juice. The oyster is removed from the shell, placed on top of a piece of French bread and drizzled with the garlic butter. Additionally, some choose to add a dash of Louisiana-style hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon to their oysters.
Garlic butter is relatively simple to make. The ingredients are minced garlic and butter. It couldn’t be any simpler. The recipe for the garlic butter follows the recipe for grilled oysters.
Some people say to turn the oysters, but my family never does and they come out just fine.
Instead of adding the garlic butter right before eating the oyster, you may choose to add the garlic butter to the oysters once the shell has opened and continue grilling the oysters until they are done.
You don’t need to go camping to enjoy grilled oysters. They may be purchased at the local grocery store since they are not being eaten raw.
Just like any other seafood sold in a shell of this sort, the oysters are alive. If an oyster does not open, it may have been dead and should not be consumed. Attempting to eat an oyster that has an unopened shell after cooking may make you sick and could have deadly consequences.
Although I may not be eating oysters any time soon, raw or grilled, I can understand the appreciation that my family has for them. I am told that they are very delicious prepared on the grill.
If you like oysters and have not prepared them on the grill, this simple method is a treat since the oysters steam in their own juices.
Add your own condiments or try them with French bread or straight out of the shell. Either way, you will have to try them for me until I get the nerve to try them myself.
Mitch L. Mariani II is a self-taught amateur chef. Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to him through e-mail at Mi*******************@***oo.com. For tips and recipes, visit www.geocities.com/MixedGrillSouthValley.
