Oyster Blog — Oysters

Oysters go through a larval stage, swimming around in the water for about 2 weeks, and then they settle down, develop shells, and remain stationary for the rest of their lives. Oyster larvae can set on just about anything: wood, rocks, other oysters, and metal. This particular oyster made his home in an old butter clam shell.

Giant white piles adjacent to the shucking plant aren't anything new... although normally they're made of oyster shell, not snow. The winter storm of 2008 is turning out to be the most persisent in living memory, which is why we've written 3 consecutive blog posts about it. But here's a change of pace: This giant mass of oysters came across the table the other day, and Roberto was so stricken with it he pulled it out of the shucking pile. He was planning on taking it home and baking the oysters open in the oven. A very unscientific survey of...

...with this guy: (Not sure whether that blurry appendage on the left belongs to Adam, or if Miguel is standing right behind him....) Views from the Captain's House: The barge goes out at high tide and picks up full tubs of oysters. Look closely at the picture below and you'll see an oyster tub sitting on the tideflats. Here it is in action:

This oyster was so impressive Teresa had to save it for show-and-tell. What makes this oyster particularly amazing is that it was shucked in August, when our oysters are normally at their smallest. Not impressed? Need a sense of scale? Look closely at the picture and you'll see an adult hand through the plastic tub.