I live in Boston and take a short T ride to Faneuil Hall each day to get to my office. I now use my time on the T to read books about oysters. My current problem with reading about oysters is that it makes me hungry for them.
So after work not too long ago, I decided to go sit at the oyster bar in the Union Oyster House. After all, how can an oyster lover be a few feet away from such a historic oyster bar every day and not go see what it's all about?
I quickly made friends with one of the oyster shuckers named Anton. He was excited to hear that I was learning about oysters. After he placed six Duxbury oysters and a Harpoon IPA beer in front of me, he grabbed his scrapbook to share his love of oysters with me. It was then when I told him I was reading, Consider the Oyster, A Shucker's Field Guide by Patrick McMurray. With a big grin on his face, he asked if I had the book with me. I did and I showed it to him. He scurried through the pages until he found page 142. Not only is this page dedicated to the Union Oyster House, it mentions Anton by name! Anton is a proud shucker who travels to oyster fests to compete in shucking contests, something I hope to do in the near future. Page 143 has a picture of the oyster bar. Once I noticed this I moved my seat two to the right just to sit in one of seats pictured in the book. After a few more beers and several oysters we concluded our conversation and I enjoyed reading more of the book on the T ride home with a belly full of oysters.
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The Easy Starter Setup
If you are just getting started, keep it simple. A good oyster knife, a cut-resistant glove, and a basic safety guide are enough for most home shuckers.
- One sturdy oyster knife
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Oyster Shucking Gloves
Here are links to the Oyster Shucking Gloves:
Gloves are important to wear when shucking and handling oysters. Not only because you will be using a sharp knife but also because some oysters can be very sharp.
Why?
Once you start shucking and enjoying oysters, you'll want to share your new talent with friends. After teaching them to shuck, imagine how happy you will make them after you give a small gift to get them started; a glove and shucking knife.
Pro tip buy more than one pair if you plan to have friends over for oysters. Soon you'll be teaching your friends to shuck oysters and having a pair of gloves for them is a good idea.
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About $17.95 for two - Chef Revival 1000 Oyster Shucking Glove This is the first glove I started shucking with. Soon you'll be teaching your friends to shuck oysters and having a pair of gloves for them is a good idea. |
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About $10.00 Cut Resistant Glove |
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About $8.00 - Cut Resistant Gloves - 100% Kevlar These are very popular but not my favorite. They get wet very fast and I find them hard to clean. |
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About $30 - Youngstown Glove with Kevlar This glove will last you a long time and protect your hand very well. A popular purchase with good ratings. |
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About $94 - Stainless Steel Mesh Hand Glove If you want the best, why not purchase this oyster shucking glove or this one: |
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About $210 - Kuchenprofi Stainless Steel Mesh Oyster Glove |
Gloves are important to wear when shucking and handling oysters. Not only because you will be using a sharp knife but also because some oysters can be very sharp.Why?
Once you start shucking and enjoying oysters, you'll want to share your new talent with friends. After teaching them to shuck, imagine how happy you will make them after you give a small gift to get them started; a glove and shucking knife.
How This Started
Living and growing up in New England, I have had the pleasure of eating lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, and the like. But I was never formally introduced to oysters. Noticing them recently where I food shop, I started to wonder if I could shuck oysters at home. Not only did this store sell oysters, they were also selling shucking knives.
I discussed, with my wife, my interest in trying to shuck oysters. In return, she bought me my first book about oysters and a knife. Rudely, I asked, "Where is the shucking glove?" She explained to me that her research showed that a good shucking glove is expensive. She went on to say that she thought I would shuck oysters once or twice and never again. She was wrong, on both accounts. For under $10, I found a pair of gloves that work well for me and I now shuck oysters at any excuse - for my wife, friends, family, holidays, even at parties. Anytime, anywhere!
I hope this blog helps you to "Go Shuck An Oyster" and to enjoy oysters. I will share books, products, events, reviews, and other interesting oyster information worth sharing. Enjoy and get ready to Go Shuck An Oyster.
I discussed, with my wife, my interest in trying to shuck oysters. In return, she bought me my first book about oysters and a knife. Rudely, I asked, "Where is the shucking glove?" She explained to me that her research showed that a good shucking glove is expensive. She went on to say that she thought I would shuck oysters once or twice and never again. She was wrong, on both accounts. For under $10, I found a pair of gloves that work well for me and I now shuck oysters at any excuse - for my wife, friends, family, holidays, even at parties. Anytime, anywhere!
I hope this blog helps you to "Go Shuck An Oyster" and to enjoy oysters. I will share books, products, events, reviews, and other interesting oyster information worth sharing. Enjoy and get ready to Go Shuck An Oyster.
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