7 minute read
T he Bitter End Anatomy of an Oyster Roast
By Captain Dan Foulds
October means three things are happening in our region. First, the brutal heat of summer is easing into the more user-friendly climate of fall. Second, many of us are watching college football on Saturday afternoons if we aren’t out fishing or hunting. Finally, on many weekend evenings we gather with old friends and new around an oyster roast, engaging in the time-honored lowcountry tradition of shucking and shoving these tasty morsels straight into our mouths.
Advertisement
The term “roast” is something of a misnomer. Roasting involves dry heat, and most of the time we are cooking oysters with wet heat in the form of steam. Whether we steam them in piles covered with hose-soaked burlap on a metal shelf set over a roaring fire, or in a purpose-built propane-fired oyster cooker, or in a boil-pot with an inch or two of water at the bottom and a brick under the basket; the objectives and results are about the same. We don’t want to boil our oysters in water as this would wash out much of the flavor. Rather, we want to cook them gently, in their own juices, and with steam, over several minutes. Steam keeps them from drying out and reduces shrinkage.
As the shells “pop,” or open slightly, thanks to heat and moisture, we dump them in a pile onto serving tables and belly up beside each other. We might stand shoulder to shoulder with a complete stranger, shucking and sharing and laughing at our great good-fortune: the wonder of living a lowcountry life.
Some purists eat them naked. Some dredge them through hot sauce and melted butter. Some like them covering a saltine - the only oyster cracker worth its salt. And then folks like me sandwich them between cracker and cocktail sauce and cram the whole assembly in our mouths at once. It ain’t pretty but it’s fun!
An oyster roast is a great equalizer. It’s a supremely egalitarian thing. You might have a congressional candidate at one shoulder and the lady who cleans houses for a living at the other. The three of you will stand there, enjoy each other’s company, and solve the world’s problems as you harmoniously fill your bellies with this naturally salt-seasoned bounty from the sea. Should you and your tablemates deplete your pile, you will patiently stand and swig your beer or iced sweet tea until another bucket of the steamy bivalves arrive.
Crash! Onto the table they go! “Slide in right here friend!”
Purpose-built tables will have a hole cut in the middle with a shell-bin beneath for easy tossing. The table should be kept cleared for action. Another option is a folding plastic table with a shell-bin on either end. Don’t put anything in the shell-bins but shells, as any trash has to be picked out by hand when they are dumped at one of the myriad shell-recycling options available. On Talahi Island where I live, we dump our shells on the community dock access road to fill the wheel ruts for a level driving surface. They crush under tires and make a fine free roadbed. There are many takers for any leftover oyster shells, as long as they aren’t mixed with trash. Check with your city or county for recycling options and see the list on page 13 for your state’s living shoreline project recycling center options.
Etiquette? Grab oysters from the pile in the middle of the table, one at a time. Only take what you will eat. It’s okay to shuck for a friend, but don’t expect anyone to shuck for you. Don’t show off your speed-shucking skills at a table populated by casual shuckers, it will make you look inconsiderate. Don’t forget to enjoy the social component of the experience as well as the gastric, in other words, speak with your neighbors between mouthfuls. I mean after all, you do want to be invited back, right?
Invariably, while eating, some bits of oyster will get lodged between your teeth where they hang tenaciously and evade capture. It’s a good idea to have a roll of floss in your pocket for a discreet oysterectomy. It’s also a good idea to bite down gently a time or two on each new arrival to make sure no shell fragments entered your mouth as stowaways. When it's tooth, crown or filling versus shell, the shell will win.
But the number one rule is that there are few rules. Just have fun and be friendly.
As you have hopefully discerned from our oyster issue this month, the future of the oyster industry in our area is bright. From production to consumption, they are already part of our culture, traditions, and history. Thanks to the work of the scientists on Skidaway Island, progress is being made on increasing the harvest right here versus having to buy them shipped in from elsewhere. You can get delicious singles from Beaufort and Bluffton right now and there are other local sources for wild-harvested oysters if you check your local seafood markets. If you’re adventurous and have a fishing license you can even do some harvesting for yourself in selected sections of our waterways. Here’s to oysters everywhere!
Be gentle to man and machine.
8001 Highway 80 Unit 704
This is one of the most unique and special building complexes in the Savannah area. Unending views of the marsh and water. This 3 BR, 3 BA unit is on the far side and upper level. It is waiting for you to enjoy the balcony deck for dinner or drinks. Once you enter the property you will see water from every angle. The high end finishes just top it off. Welcome to the best view with privacy to boot. Enjoy the 4th Fireworks at Tybee from your private unit or come up one floor for rooftop amenities in the pool or table entertaining alcoves. This unit has water views from all of the common areas, one guest room and the master bedroom. Secure building and parking. Coded entry to the unit. This is the property for the discerning buyer. It has it all. Views, privacy, lock and leave potential, upgrades galore et all. $674,000
Talahi Island
Pooler
This 4 BD, 2.5 BA home is one of the largest in the neighborhood. All of the family is together upstairs with lots of family rooms to boot. Huge bonus room upstairs. Large open floorplan downstairs with separate dining room, living room, sun room and an additional office. Great open kitchen with two counters for eating and a large breakfast room. Directly off this room is the double sized patio. Private backyard. No building behind you. Located on a cul de sac. The master bedroom is oversized with a sitting area. The master shower is huge and has a separate water closet. Directly off the master bath is a huge walk in closet and with access to the laundry room. Lots of amenities. Playground and pool. $274,000
Dutch Island
This wonderful 5 BD, 3.5 BA family home is ready for you. From the open floorplan with lots of entertaining areas to the back deck overlooking the tidal lagoon, everyone has a space. This is a true 5 BR home with 3.5 baths. Split floorplan and master is on the first floor along with two other bedrooms. Living Room with FP and builtins and Dining Room welcome you as you enter. The family room and kitchen are open to each other and the back deck. Oversized two car garage is deep enough for storage and cabinets. This community is so perfect for your family. Lots of amenities. Gated community but close to all shopping and schools. Don’t miss the crab trap right out your back door. $495,000
Wilmington Island
This Spacious 3 BR 2.5 BA home in lake front in Palmetto Cove. Great floor plan with the master suite on the main level and 2 additional bedrooms upstairs. This home features a formal dining room as well as an eat in kitchen, family room, 2 car garage, large pantry and a laundry room. The home also features a screened in porch overlooking the lake. $319,500
Palmetto Bay Road
Pooler
This is a very special area and home. Located just off Pooler Parkway with easy access to I-16 and Savannah. A gated community with amenities that just do not stop. Private dinner club, exercise studio, tennis facilities, and a pool entertaining area that far exceeds any expectations. This 4 BR/3.5 BA home is located on one of the wonderful estate lots that is just over an acre. Custom built with two master suites. One upstairs and one down. Perfect for a multi generational family. Four bedrooms and a large bonus room. Multiple living and entertaining areas. There are minumum requirements for the dinner club. Come make this your perfect family home and enjoy all that Westbrook has to offer. $619,000
Montgomery
Build Your Dreams on this Vacant Lot in Established Beaulieu/Montgomery Area! Property Features Gorgeous Oaks and Mature Foliage with Private Well & Septic. Located Near Bethesda, Burnside Island, & Rio Vista, Yet Convenient to Truman Parkway. Offering Desirable Frontage on Ferguson Avenue, The Two Adjacent Lots “0 Lehigh Ave” and “10001 Bethesda” MUST Be Sold Together as One for $125,000. The Property Features Combined Acreage Totaling 1.32 Acres. So Much Potential!! Make Your Appointment Today! $115,000
Burnside Island
OMG!! 4BRs, 3BAs. That is all you can say about these views over the marsh and Vernon River. The sunsets alone are breathtaking. This traditional Low Country home is located on 2.8 acres and has views out of every window. Inground pool and screened porch overlooking the view as well. This estate is perfect for the discerning owner with privacy and lots of potential for gardens or a fam ily compound. Burnside Island is a unique island with single family homes and lots of walking, rid ing, etc. Golf cart approved island. Owner may ap ply for membership in the Burnside Island Yacht Club on the Intracoastal Waterway.
Midtown
Wow!! No lots like this in Parkside. 4 total lots with amazing outdoor space. This charming bungalow will draw you in and make you want to settle in for life. Two bedrooms and bath down and a fantastic master suite and sitting area with bath on second floor. Hardwood floors and contemporary kitchen. There are two outdoor screened areas. Detached single car garage with lots of extra storage. Parkside is such a welcoming community with lots of friendly neighbors. Walk to Daffin Park for the dog park, watching games or enjoy the Banana games and fireworks. Ready for you now. $349,000
Isle Of Hope
This wonderful 2 BD 2.5 BA home was originally the location of a dairy farm. Two buildings for living. One two story with a wonderful master suite upstairs with new bath and large closet. Separate “bunkhouse” has full bath, bedroom, kitchen and living area. They are joined by a cozy courtyard and expansive deck perfect for back yard enthusiasts. Large detached workshop and several outdoor storage buildings. Welcome to Isle of Hope! Walk everywhere. To the marina, to the community pool, along Bluff Drive with views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The community is one the few golf cart approved areas. This special historic home is for the lover of beautiful and unique properties. Perfect for second residence or investment. $369,000 113 Holcomb Street
