A day of oyster indulgence for TCN’s Ivana Sepak in Ston on March 19, 2016.
Today is a very special day here in Dubrovnik. Not only that it’s a sunny, spring Saturday, Father’s day and St. Joseph’s day all in one – it’s also oyster day in Ston, or locally known – festa od kamenica.
Legends have been told about the supreme taste and excellence of these oysters from Mali Ston bay. The truth is that those precise oysters received many quality acknowledgements and grand prixs all over the world, starting as early as 1936 in London! People working on oyster “farms” in Pelješac (that’s where Ston is located) claim their superiority is due to extremely clean sea water and the influx of fresh water as well. Namely, several oyster cultivators claim that there are underground rivers unraveling into Mali Ston bay and thus creating the perfect conditions for finest oysters. As well, oysters are grown in pair with mussels – oysters are very demanding and mussels are some sort of a filter that cleanse the surrounding waters, aiding that way to clean micro-environment.
There is no middle ground with these shellfish – you either love them or can’t even smell them. The ideal way of eating them is having them freshly pulled from the sea in front of you. Then, if you like, you’re offered some lemon, preferably home grown, some Tabasco sauce if you fancy the spicy taste, and off you go. Be careful, oyster shells should be sealed and crack opened with a special knife in front of you, anything else suggests the lack of freshness. Price of a single oyster is around €1. Needless to say, they are best served raw. Oysters have been known as one of the most popular aphrodisiacs, so be careful with the amounts you consume.
Unlike last year, today we have the perfect weather and hundreds of tourists and locals are expected to flock to Ston for oyster-munching, both today and tomorrow. Together with oysters, some other home grown local food will be presented, as well as impeccable Pelješac wines. Join us in savoring magnificent tastes this weekend in Ston!
