Oysters

[L Verge]

Here in Maryland, oysters are very reasonable compared to the mighty crabs. However, in the 1800s, oysters and crabs were both considered food for the poor. Years ago, we did a cookbook for Surratt House and were amazed to read in our research that crabs were reserved for the slaves. Nowadays, some neighbors have to combine their wallets in order to purchase a bushel of crabs to share. As far as hard shell crabs are concerned, they came keep them - now soft shell sandwiches are a whole different matter on my part.

I'm at work today and have been googling some sites on oysters. One fact noted was that New York in the 1860s had oyster street vendors and considered them fast food. They also advertised oysters for a penny a dozen. In 1877 records, the Fulton Fish Market in New York is shown as selling 50,000 pounds of oysters a day.

I should clarify also that, when we're talking about not eating oysters in months that have no Rs in their name, we're referring to raw oysters - mainly because the spawning season causes a change in texture and taste. Here in Maryland, we have also had to contend with what we call the "red tide," which is a form of algae that can affect a number of fish forms.

I have also learned that an oyster can change gender a number of times in its life. I'm not even going to touch that one!

Mention was made earlier about Casanova enjoying his oysters. I found a reference that claimed the gentleman ate 50 oysters a day with his afternoon "apperitif" in order to increase his libido. It makes sense since oysters are the greatest single source of dietary zinc, which is a major source for testosterone.