Raw oysters

2016-08-14 a.o.

The only oysters I can get on a regular basis here in Deming, NM are shucked Willapoint oysters and canned oysters. I've never had any motivation to try the canned ones. I occasionally buy the Willapoint oysters when I get a craving for them. At the least, those keep me from going so crazy that I'd have live oysters overnighted.

All raw oysters come with the official warning that eating raw shellfish can kill you, but they hope very much you'll ignore that warning. A few safety tips beforehand:

Keep the container refrigerated at all times.
Do not buy if you won't be able to get it back to refrigeration before it warms up.
Do not by the jar if:
- It is past expiration date, even if it looks good. Oysters do have a very limited shelf life.
- The lid is bulging, even if it is not past expiration date. That means it was not refrigerated at all times as it should have been, or maybe they put a bad oyster in there.
- The container is leaking or in any way damaged.

I always rinse shucked oysters before I eat them. This is not so much for food safety reasons, as to get a wonderful seafood stock that is similar to, yet also very distinct from mussel juice.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 2 servings:

1 pt. shucked oysters (= 6-12 oysters)
3 limes
S&P

Pic1: shucked Willapoint oysters

Directions

After opening the container, pour the content in a sieve over a saucepan.
Transfer the oysters to another saucepan.
Add water until the oysters are covered.
- Gently stir. Rest 1 minute. Repeat stir/rest 3-5 times.
- Pour the content in a sieve over the other saucepan.
Repeat the above cycle 3-4 more times until you have about 1 qt. of oyster juice.
Even after the 3rd time, the liquid will still be milky white. (Pic3)
Transfer the oyster juice into a freeze-proof container.
- Refrigerate (or freeze) the oyster juice until needed to enhance a chowder, seafood soup or sauce.
- Boil the oyster juice before consuming it.
- Optional:
  - Blend one or more oysters in the juice to make the oyster flavor even stronger.
    I prefer to eat them all. :-)
After the 3rd rinse, add the juice of 1 or 2 limes, lots of pepper and add water to fill the container. (Pic4).
Shake gently. Rest 2 minutes.
Serve and enjoy. (Pic1)

Pic2: Willapoint oysters
Pic3: rinsing cycle
Pic4: lime juice & pepper

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more and avemariasongs.org

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more
and avemariasongs.org