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Oysters from Cádiz, marine delicacy on the table

Have you ever tried the incredible oysters from Cádiz? These particular and exclusive oysters from the Cádiz coasts are a marine delicacy that you must try at least once in your life. Today we talk about this delicious food in depth to whet your appetite.

What are Cadiz oysters?

All the cassostreas, commonly known as oysters, are bivalve mollusks related to oysters. Although the oyster is distinguished by presenting a shell of irregular and asymmetric shape, whose outer face is rough and dark, in contrast to the interior, which has a smooth surface thanks to the fact that calcium carbonate transforms into an iridescent substance called nacre.

Come from San Fernando bay and currently, thanks to the aquaculture, are bred as products of estuarine in farms, of great quality due to the ecosystem where they live, being their usual nutrient the phytoplankton of the estuaries. Similar in their production to shrimps, shrimp, prawns or crabs are known in the area as "curly oysters from Cádiz”. Likewise, thanks to their very high fertilization rate, they are very suitable for industrial exploitation. They have an intense flavor and today they are cult pieces in the best kitchens. In the same way, they are closely linked to Cadiz festivals such as carnival, called Oyster.

Cadiz oysters
Live oysters from Cádiz | Source: Pescadosymariscosanna.es

How to recognize a good oyster?

La freshness of the oysters is one of the key points, since a bad oyster can cause a food poisoning, in addition to having a very unpleasant taste and not recommended. For that reason, it is important to know how to recognize it in order to distinguish the best oysters. To do this, the first thing you have to look at is whether the shell is perfectly closed. The oyster has to be alive, therefore, an open shell means that the shellfish is dead, because it does not use its muscles to close the shell. In addition, the cooler, the more resistance it will oppose when opened.

The second issue that we must look at and take into account to know its freshness is its odor. The oyster should have a clean smell of the sea, if you perceive a pungent, acidic or old smell, you should discard it. Likewise, its appearance is also essential. Must be bright and uniform, without spots or dark areas.

Cadiz oysters
Oysters from the Cadiz coast | Source: Lacostadecadiz.com

Oyster omelettes, an easy and delicious recipe

The oysters can be served fresh, stewed, cooked, battered, fried, raw (with lemon), smoked, pickled, canned, dried, in the shell… But you can also create original recipes such as rice with oysters or divert them to a pil pil with cod skin previously desalted with its point of chilli. Today we tell you a simple and quick way to make the most of this delicacy. For this you need, apart from the oysters, wheat flour, chickpea flour, paprika, oyster stock, chives, fresh parsley, salt and extra virgin olive oil.

The first step for its elaboration is wash the oysters very well and open them steamed. Once opened, separate them and strain the resulting broth thoroughly, with a coffee filter, which retains any calcareous or gritty residue and reserves that obtained broth. Then, in a bowl, mix the flours and paprika well and chop the chives and fresh parsley. Once this is done, incorporate it along with the oysters matches into pieces and the stock, until a dough is reached at its optimum point. Finally, add the salt and fry the dough in a hot pan. This way you will get some tasty omelettes of this product that will leave you the best possible taste in your mouth and that you can taste alone or in company.

Oyster pancakes
Oyster omelette recipe | Source: Cadiz.cosasdecome.es

If you go to the Cadiz coast you cannot leave without trying this delicious marine delicacy and more so now that you know something more about it and its history. You can also get it in online stores or in seafood or specialized fishmongers in your area. What did you think of the oysters from the province of Cadiz? Do you think that now you would know how to distinguish a good one from a bad one? Would you dare to try to make the recipe that we have told you?

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