Oysters are a delicacy, but do you ever find yourself wondering, “How the heck do I eat this thing?” That brings us to the question…is there a proper way to eat oysters? There’s certainly no wrong way to order and eat oysters, but there’s definitely a difference between the types of preparations. Whether you’re enjoying your oysters at a five-star restaurant or kicking back at a beach cookout, you can’t go wrong ordering oysters with one of these preparations:
Fresh, Raw Oysters
Raw Oysters are as simple as heading to the grocery store to look for heavy, tightly-sealed oysters, shucking them open (preferably with caution and an oyster knife), seasoning them and slurping them down! The simplicity and straightforwardness of this dish is enough to order your whole meal around your oyster appetizer. If you’re making them at home, season them with your favorite spices, or try something new while dining out!
Come try our raw oysters at Julington Creek Fish Camp to see what kind of seasonings we use and get some inspiration for your next backyard summer cookout.
Oysters Rockefeller
Let’s be honest, you can never have enough butter. So if you’re new to the world of oysters, Rockefeller is hands-down the smartest way to introduce yourself. Rockefeller oysters originated in the 1800s in a little New Orleans restaurant, but there have been thousands of variations created over the decades. Oysters Rockefeller is a fabulous appetizer because of the variety of garlic, spinach, watercress and scallions used for the filling. After all of those delicious ingredients are added, the oysters are finally topped with butter, breadcrumbs, fennel and hot sauce.
We don’t play around with oysters at Julington Creek Fish Camp in Jacksonville, Florida. Stop in soon to see what we’re talking about!
Rockin’ Roasted Oysters
Just like raw oysters, roasting oysters is also a super simple method of preparation. When you roast oysters, you take full advantage of the briny flavors with a minimal amount of additional ingredients. Begin by placing about 15 oysters on the half shell on a baking sheet with a thin layer of rock salt below. Top each oyster with a mixture of hot sauce and browned butter, then roast in a 500-degree oven for about five minutes (or until the edges of each oyster begin to curl). Serve with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and bacon.
We love oysters and we can’t wait for you to come in and discover your love for oysters, too! It’s hard to go wrong with any preparation, but you should find out for yourself. Curious which drink pairs best with each type of oyster? You’re in luck, because we’re about to tell you!
Bubbly
It’s hard to go wrong when pairing Champagne or Prosecco with oysters raw, roasted or Rockefeller. The carbonation of the bubbly is the perfect contrast to the smooth texture of the oysters.
Chardonnay
Mmmm, it’s hard to not get excited about a yummy, glass of chardonnay with a side of buttery Oysters Rockefeller.
Sparkling Water
Sipping on a glass of iced sparkling water with a splash of lemon is a great way to highlight, instead of distract, from the distinct oyster flavors.
Come in soon to try any or all of the oyster options at Julington Creek Fish Camp in Jacksonville! We look forward to seeing you!