Menemsha Oyster - Farmer of the Sea (2014)

It makes me wonder how truly hungry the first person to eat an oyster was. Admittedly, they are not for me yet, genuine “Menemsha Oysters” are something I have developed a fondness for. 

Ten years ago, my father-in-law, Emmett Carroll jumped head first into aquaculture. He’s , what I call, a farmer of the sea. I remember when his very first “babies” arrived and how proud he was of them. Those tiny little specs of what seemed like nothing would be grown, tended, tumbled, sorted, cleaned and sold as  delectable “Menemsha Oysters.”

Although they require some talent to open, and what you see on the inside isn’t visually appealing by any means (OK, so this is my opinion), what you actually get out of their consumption is calcium, iron, and protein. Pretty impressive for a little glob (nope, I can't really think of a better word)that grows in a shell. I've been told Menemsha Oysters have a sweetness that you simply can't find anywhere else. 

Recently, Emmett showed his grandson, Brooks, his oyster business. Along with Emmett’s wife Kathie and son Marshall, the foursome ventured “up the pond”, pulled cages, sorted, counted and took oysters to market. 

Eleven year old Brooks found it to be a bit of work but “pretty cool” at the same time. He says he will help grandpa again but maybe, next time, he won’t wear his favorite sweatshirt.