North End: Raw bar

Last Updated on Wednesday, 31 December 1969 11:59 Written by Elise Monday, 30 November 2009 00:00

This past Saturday The Goog, The Red Menace and I took a trip down to Haymarket and The North End. The North End is Boston's Italian section, and Haymaket is a area where on Friday's and Saturday's produce, fish, and cheese vendors set up and sell their wares cheap! Now, sometimes it's a "you get what you pay for" situation. But other times really great deals can be had.
The main purpose of our trip was to visit the raw bar vendor. Each weekend, there is a tent set up, and for 6 for $5 or $1 each, you can gorge yourself on freshly shucked raw oysters and clams. Seriously....this is awesome. Ok, I know some of you are thinking, raw shellfish, from a street vendor!?!?! Is she insane?!?!? I can tell you, that I am not. These bivalves are fresh, kept cold, and the vendors themselves partake with you. I feel there there is no more risk than getting them in a smancy restaurant...and here the prices and ambiance are much better!

Lemon and hot sauce is set out for dressing your shellfish. I like both (both shellfish and both lemon and hot sauce!)

Oysters-
This is the time of year for oysters. They are much more plump and sweeter tasting in the late fall, early winter months.

oysters1

Clams-
Clams are a bit stronger than they oysters. They have a much more "oceanic" taste to them. They are also a bit bigger and more chewy.

clams1

I don't know how to shuck, but my mom was a master. Sadly the recent onset of a selfish allergy will prevent her from doing this going forward (I pray it's not a genetic thing). In the picture below an oyster is being opened. Notice you attack at the back hinge. given my love for this food, this is something I would really like to learn.

shucker

If you are at curious about trying either raw oysters or clams I would strongly recommend a trip to Haymarket. You are try something new in a no stress environment, and if you love them, it won't cost you a lot to get your fill!