
Heaven on the Half Shell
The Story of the Oyster in the Pacific Northwest
- 248 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Heaven on the Half Shell
The Story of the Oyster in the Pacific Northwest
About this book
How oysters shaped the environment, cultures, and economies of the Northwest Heaven on the Half Shell offers a thoroughly researched and richly illustrated history of the Pacific Northwest's beloved bivalve, the oyster. Starting with the earliest evidence of sea gardens and clam beds from 11, 500 years ago, this book covers the history of oyster cultivation through contemporary aquaculture in coastal Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, northern California, and southeastern Alaska. Generations of oyster farmers, Native and non-Native, have weathered many challenges to continue the harvest. Their vivid individual accounts are braided together with significant history, such as the major contributions of Japanese immigrants prior to World War II and the 1994 Rafeedie decision that affirmed shellfish harvesting rights held by Northwest tribes. The book also sheds light on the innovations that made oysters an enduringly popular food, from the creation of so-called sexless oysters that could be consumed year-round to breakthroughs in contemporary oyster cuisine. Now fully updated and expanded—and chock-full of "oysterabilia"—this classic text shares new insights on emerging challenges to the oyster farmer's life as well as increased coverage of the roles of women and contemporary tribes in building this cultural tradition, past and present. Newcomers and aficionados alike will also be delighted by the carefully selected recipes, both historic and contemporary, from the region's top chefs. As the old saying goes, when the tide is out, the table is set.
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Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- Foreword by Kenneth K. Chew
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Land Acknowledgment
- Maps
- 1. An Oyster Grower’s Lot
- 2. Before the First Farms
- 3. Collectors Become Cultivators
- 4. The Pacific Oyster Premieres
- 5. Oysters at War and in Peace
- 6. From Boom to Bust and Back
- 7. The Next Wave
- Notes
- General Index
- Index of Recipes
- About the Author