Living Outside The Lines: “Seafood-A-Palooza!”

Here is where my East Coast upbringing and transplanted Texan selves have a big of a struggle; East Coast oysters with their plump goodness rule and Texas oysters, well they’re a little wimpy.

By Becky J Miller

Catfish, lobster, shrimp, crab legs, clams, oysters, scallops, flounder, salmon, and cod. I can honestly say I’ve yet to meet seafood I did not like, unless you count tuna casserole, and that’s really more of a poser than genuine fish. Seafood is one of those delicacies people either love or hate. Growing up on the East Coast where shellfish is a staple, I’m not sure I ever had a choice.

My grandmother loved to tell the story of my first oyster encounter. My father and grandfather bought oysters by the bushel and then sat out on the back patio shucking them. (Adorable) two-year-old Becky toddled about curiously checking out what her two favorite men were doing. Neither could resist those big green eyes and golden curled pigtails so despite her mother’s objections she was fed her first raw oyster.

Wondering over to my grandmother I asked, “What’s this I got in my mouf??” Perhaps they expected me to spit it out? Surprise!! I liked it!! To this day, raw oysters are one of my favorite foods!! Here is where my East Coast upbringing and transplanted Texan selves have a big of a struggle; East Coast oysters with their plump goodness rule and Texas oysters, well they’re a little wimpy.

McAdoo’s Seafood restaurant in New Braunfels is the only place I’ve eaten that serves oysters from other regions. Generally one orders a dozen oysters on the half shell and there are no choices. At McAdoo’s they ask if diners want East Coast, West Coast, New England, or even oysters from other countries. **WARNING the price does climb the further the oysters have to swim from their destination.

Oyster lovers beware; ordering them raw at Landry’s on the River Walk in San Antonio guarantees rude comments from nosey by-passers. Charlotte Plummer’s in Rockport serves them shucked, and without their half shell? The experience was rather odd, I mean, was the shell kidnapped??

Texas is hot almost year round, meaning the gulf waters don’t get very cold. So, the rule for eating raw oysters is; only order them in months including an “r”. Many restaurants serve them year round, but ordering them in May, June, July and August guarantees they were previously frozen and won’t taste as delicious!

Generally, I shy away from fried seafood preferring raw (oysters), blackened, broiled or grilled for any other fish. The only exception I make is oyster po’ boys during off-season. Those come fried, but I tell myself it’s permissible because eating them raw during warmer months is ill advised.

Scallops are delicious, but have you tried catching them??? What an adventure!!! Toddler Becky grew into a teenager who still adored her grandfather and would do practically anything he wanted, but jumping out of a boat anchored in Tampa Bay and roaming around in sea grass four feet high trying to catch scallops?? Yikes, that was asking a lot!!

With some reluctance, my sister and I donned snorkeling masks and flippers, jumped out of the boat with our laundry baskets in tow and went on the hunt for scallops. Do you know how one spots scallops in the bay? When their shells are closed, they blend nicely with the sea grass, but they’re easily spotted once they open their shells. Oh what fun we had that day scalloping then eating what we’d caught while swimming in our grandparents pool during the after party!

I don’t know about you, but now I’m hungry!! Lobster with melted garlic butter anyone??

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller ~ Warrior Princess

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.