  NATIONAL OYSTER DAY, AUGUST 5TH by Rob Lauer August 5th has been designated National Oyster Day-a date for American seafood lovers to honor what many consider the finest delicacy on any fisherman's platter. Broil it, fry it, roast it, eat it raw on the half shell, or cook it in a stew- there are many delicious ways to feast on oysters. Hampton Roads residents, in particular, have a special connection to this beloved mollusk. From briny to mild, these bite-sized bundles of love have not only bought satisfied smiles to Virginians for centuries but have also been a staple of our local economy. Thousands of years before English colonists arrived in Virginia, local Native Americans harvested oysters for food. When supplies ran short in one area, native fishermen would search for new sites along Tidewater's rivers and waterways, and native settlements would follow. When English colonists arrived in Virginia in the early 1600s, they initially hired the more experienced native fishermen to harvest oysters for them. Soon oysters became a staple of Colonial diets. But the Colonial passion for oysters resulted in some recipes that would make even the most ardent modern seafood fanatic think twice. For instance, Dolly Madison often served oyster ice cream at wintertime meals.  From briny to mild, these bite-sized bundles of love have not only bought satisfied smiles to Virginians for centuries but have also been a staple of our local economy. Before the 19th century, when food preservation techniques evolved, Virginia oysters were only consumed locally while in season. Historically, that meant they were only eaten during months whose names contain an "R." This is because oyster quality is poor right after they have spawned and because oysters would spoil without refrigeration during warmer months. Thankfully, because of modern refrigeration, oysters can now be enjoyed any month of the year. Oysters have long been one of the most important commercially harvested species in the Chesapeake Bay. When canning was introduced in the 1800s, they were packaged in Virginia's coastal cities and transported inland by railways, expanding the demand nationally. Virginia became so famous for oysters that the scientific name for the Eastern oyster (also called the Atlantic or American oyster) is Crassostrea virginica. The Old Dominion is now the number-one state on the East Coast for oyster aquaculture. Travelers can enjoy oysters like true Virginians year-round, thanks to numerous local seafood festivals and marquee Virginia oyster events such as the Urbanna Oyster Festival, the Chincoteague Island Oyster Roast, and The Merroir and Terroir Oyster Roast. Many Virginia wineries and breweries offer Virginia oysters on their menus. (Sauvignon Blanc brings out the freshness of raw oysters, while Chardonnay makes fried and broiled oysters all the more mouth-watering.) This August 5th, celebrate National Oyster Day by ordering a plate of them at one of Hampton Roads' popular seafood restaurants-such as the Black Pelican. The Shopper 1545 Crossways Blvd. Chesapeake, VA 23320 757-317-5465 http://www.TheShopper.com |