As you soak in these first few weeks of Fall with the kiss of cooler temperatures, your mind may wander to beach sweaters, thick blankets, fires with s’mores and desolate beaches where you may hunt for shells and sea glass. Maybe your eye is drawn to the skies and the marshlands along the sound for some epic birdwatching? Good news! The Northern Outer Banks has that too! Another perfect accompaniment to the cooler temperatures is oysters. No matter if you just want to sit down and let the local restauranter provide them for you or if you want to have your own oyster roast, you will enjoy tasting the locally sourced oysters of The Northern Outer Banks.
If you’re the one looking to sit back and relax and have the restaurants do the work for you, here is a recommended starter list to get your oyster fill this Autumn, whether you like them raw, steamed, roasted or fried.
Frog Island Seafood
Coinjock Marina Restaurant
Sun Dogs Raw Bar & Grill
North Banks Restaurant & Raw Bar
Wanting to throw your own oyster roast? Whether you can slurp with the best of them, prefer your oysters cooked, or this is your first time trying an oyster, we have the ultimate guide to make sure that your next oyster roast is perfect, whether it is here on the picturesque shores of The Northern Outer Banks or in your own backyard. As you ponder your guest list, we want to make sure you have what you need to ensure your event is a success.
First, you want to be able to set the scene. Whether you roast on a grill or a fire pit with a screen, or you take your oysters fresh and cold out of the water, you want to make sure that you have a table (or more) to accommodate your guests for them to shuck their oyster or add the perfect sides.
When setting your table, you must have some essentials, including oyster knives and thick gloves (for shucking and hot oysters). You can find oyster knives in Corolla at Corolla Bait & Tackle or at OBX Bait & Tackle. Having more than one knife for a party helps make everything flow a lot smoother.
You will also need plenty of ice! Whether your menu is a raw bar or will feature roasted oysters, you will need ice to keep the oysters cold in a cooler until they are ready to eat.
Now for the best part! You will want to source your oysters from a local and trustworthy seafood location. A few Corolla locations are Dockside North Seafood Market, Seaside Farm Market, Bluewater Seafood Market or Butcher Block. There are also several delicious choices on The Northern Outer Banks Mainland, including the Moyock Farm Market, Frog Island Seafood or Beacon Seafood in Grandy. As far as how many oysters to purchase, that is entirely up to you. Some just like to have a few as an appetizer and some guests can eat enough to make it their meal. Many side dishes compliment oysters very well, such as cornbread, hush puppies, or perhaps some veggie skewers with shrimp, which can round out your menu.
When selecting oysters here on The Northern Outer Banks, the majority of oysters sold have come from the local Sound and are flavorful. As you open your oysters for raw enjoyment or possibly after they have been roasted, you may find little pea crabs inside or near the oysters, and that is a great sign that they are fresh! Some people even say that if you eat the pea crab, it brings good fortune.
No oyster roast is complete without an assortment of toppings. Some basic necessities that you may want to have available are lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, sliced baguette, garlic butter, shallots, tabasco, saltines, horseradish and mignonette. If you can’t purchase your own mignonette, you can make your own with the following ingredients:
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons shallots, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Your mignonette sauce can be customized to your liking. It can be sweet, savory or spicy. It all depends on your taste. Many seafood markets will sell their own version of the sauce, if you prefer to purchase it premade. The recipe above can be served as is or with various flavors to your liking.
Don’t forget to share your pictures of your next roast and tag The Northern Outer Banks by using the hashtag #NorthernOBX or #CorollaNC