Ocean City Maryland Blog

Scalloped OYSTERS – real food from the Sea!

---

• Author: admin
• November 30, 2009
• Category: OC MD Shore Good Eats, OC MD Year-round Living

At first finding authentic, old-time Eastern Shore recipes seemed a somewhat daunting task. We weren’t looking for the restaurant kind – the menu that says, “Old Fashioned… (Double frozen, pre-packaged, deep fried…)”; the over processed food that comes in a box. We were looking for the type of food that was made with pride in local kitchens and is still served to a very lucky few. Coming across another old cookbook that not only offers recipes but also true local history is the basis for this blog section, Shore Good Eats. We recently found a quote that seems to say it all from the preface of one of these grand, old cookbooks, “The original land patent for Ocean City is, “The Ladies Resort To The Ocean”. And they did, resorting to building and running the small seaside hotels and rooming houses. By the 1890’s their hard work and sacrifice put Ocean City on the map. It is from their kitchens that these recipes come.”
Upon studying the recipe below – Scalloped Oysters, one finds the identical ingredients as in the best Oyster Stew except the ‘crackers’ are on the inside. After having tried this I find myself a convert – this is really delicious! Try it…I halved the amounts for a test run; it’s all gone and I wish I’d made more!

SCALLOPED OYSTERS
1 quart oysters (standard, with liquor)
2-3 cups coarsely crushed saltines
1 stick butter
1-2 cups milk
Salt & pepper to taste

In a greased 2-quart casserole, alternate layers of oysters and crackers, dotting each layer with butter and sprinkling with salt and pepper. End with layer of crumbs. Add milk until liquid almost reaches top of casserole. Dot the top with remaining butter. Bake at 350 until browned, 45-60 minutes.

To enlarge any photo, just ‘click’!

• One Response
• Read comments...
• Comment Feeds