Hi all!
I used to think I didn't like oysters. Until I was in New Orleans for spring break this year. I tried my first FRESH chargrilled oyster and fell in love. I realized that the oysters that I had in Louisville were either the ones in the plastic cup thingie from Kroger or rolled oysters (read fishy-tasting balls of bread - I know that's a sin to say in Louisville, but I'm putting it out there). So, I was craving chargrilled oysters and we brought some very fresh ones home on ice from a recent visit to South Carolina. My brother and boyfriend really struggled with shucking, as they had never done it (see - I cleverly hid behind side dishes at the stove and made them shuck). They acted mad at me until dinner was served.
So, I just went by way of Texas to tell you that Mike at Middletown HF (who is a wealth of knowledge - he really knows his product), turned me on to frozen oysters on the half-shell. They're northeastern oysters that are harvested, frozen, then shucked. The frozen oysters (with the liquor - that's key) are shrink-wrapped and shipped. They are gorgeous and very meaty. At $1.65 per oyster and no shuckin'? Count me in!
Chargrilled oysters - just in case: fresh garlic and butter, grated parm and grated Romano. Not too much topping so you can taste all the deliciousness. Put on a hot grill and cook just till the edges start to curl. Use French bread to sop up the juices. Thank me later.