Posted: 5:21 PM - Feb 04, 2001
I received this message via Rootsweb "Missing Links" from a message that someone submitted concerning a Christmas custom of serving oyster stew.
What we've always done in my home differs slightly from the custom discribed in the article below.
We've always had oyster stew as a Christmas morning breakfast item. Of course when I was small I didn't eat any. I believe it was because the older folks figured we wouldn't like it but as I grew older I found that I liked it alot.
I think for us it stretches back a few generations (perhaps further).
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No definitive answer emerged from the more than 134 responses to
my question about the origins of the Christmas Eve serving of
oyster stew [ML 5:52, 27 December 2000]. Folks who still observe
the custom have ancestors in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales,
Holland, and Germany, just as I do. But one Scot from the
Shetland Isles said "Never heard of this." Several thought it
originated in the U.S.A., even out west in Montana! One said
that only adults were allowed to eat the oysters; children were
served oyster crackers as their "oysters." One told of making
"oyster stew" with only milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Many
said it brought back warm memories. Many did not eat the
oysters, passing them along to those who could enjoy them, and
drinking the broth. A few said that as adults, never having
liked the oysters, they were happy to give up the custom of
preparing the "slimy things." This was lots of fun. Many asked
me to let them know what I learned, so I hope you will print
these results.
Written by Linda Summers Lamirand [url=mailto:LLamirand@aol.com]LLamirand@aol.com[/url]. Previously published by Julia M. Case and Myra
Vanderpool Gormley, CG, Missing Links, Vol. 6, No. 5,
31 January 2001. RootsWeb: http://www.rootsweb.com/
What we've always done in my home differs slightly from the custom discribed in the article below.
We've always had oyster stew as a Christmas morning breakfast item. Of course when I was small I didn't eat any. I believe it was because the older folks figured we wouldn't like it but as I grew older I found that I liked it alot.
I think for us it stretches back a few generations (perhaps further).
-------------------------------------------
No definitive answer emerged from the more than 134 responses to
my question about the origins of the Christmas Eve serving of
oyster stew [ML 5:52, 27 December 2000]. Folks who still observe
the custom have ancestors in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales,
Holland, and Germany, just as I do. But one Scot from the
Shetland Isles said "Never heard of this." Several thought it
originated in the U.S.A., even out west in Montana! One said
that only adults were allowed to eat the oysters; children were
served oyster crackers as their "oysters." One told of making
"oyster stew" with only milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Many
said it brought back warm memories. Many did not eat the
oysters, passing them along to those who could enjoy them, and
drinking the broth. A few said that as adults, never having
liked the oysters, they were happy to give up the custom of
preparing the "slimy things." This was lots of fun. Many asked
me to let them know what I learned, so I hope you will print
these results.
Written by Linda Summers Lamirand [url=mailto:LLamirand@aol.com]LLamirand@aol.com[/url]. Previously published by Julia M. Case and Myra
Vanderpool Gormley, CG, Missing Links, Vol. 6, No. 5,
31 January 2001. RootsWeb: http://www.rootsweb.com/