Cornmeal-Crusted Fried Oysters

Name: Cornmeal-Crusted Fried Oysters
Yield: serves 4 to 6
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups cornmeal; 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper; 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika; 4 cups canola oil; 24 shucked oysters

December 14, 2011

Fried oysters are essential in a Hangtown Fry, which also includes eggs and fried bacon. The dish is thought to have been created during the California gold rush in a camp called Hangtown, near Sutter’s Mill in the Coloma Valley. The town acquired its gruesome name because of frequent hangings, often carried out by vigilantes. For this recipe, you can either shuck the oysters yourself or buy fresh shucked oysters from your fishmonger.

Recipe notes

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