How to Shuck an Oyster

Serving oysters on the half shell makes a dramatic beginning to any meal whether it is for Oysters Rockefeller or for a raw bar. However, when selecting oysters, it is essential to know and trust where you buy your seafood. The result of consuming bad or contaminated oysters can be deadly.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• oysters
• knife
• heavy glove
• cold running water

1. 1. Scrub oysters thoroughly with a steel brush and cold running water.

2. 2. Protect the hand your will be holding the oyster with by wearing a sturdy glove.

3. 3. Slip the point of an oyster knife between the shells near the hinge.

4. 4. Wiggle the knife back and forth to loosen the muscle.

5. 5. As the shells begin to move apart, move the knife further into the oyster until the shell opens.

6. 6. Remove it and the slide the knife under the oyster to detach it from the shell.

7. 7. Leave the oyster in the bottom shell for serving as a raw appetizer.

Tips & Warnings

• Shellfish should be refrigerated until you shuck them.
• Don’t shuck more than a few hours before eating.

[Surfthetide]

on 6/17/2009 Always wanted to know how to do this. 5*

[seosamh]

on 8/29/2008 Thats one to try.