Tools and accessories can pile up in the kitchen, as there is a tool for each food item. Most seafood lovers rarely have a shucking knife.
It might be you are not finding the shucking knife at the moment, or you have not invested in buying the knife yet.
Opening oysters at home is satisfying since it is one of the water’s most fantastic treats.
Even though the shucking knife is recommended, it is not the only way to open oysters.
If you get an opportunity to enjoy oysters, and you don’t have the shucking knife, you should try these alternative methods.
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Table of Contents
Toggle1. Use A Screwdriver To Shuck Oysters
It would be best to look for a flat head screwdriver since it is similarly shaped to a shucking knife.
In addition, it would be best to get the shortest screwdriver to get a good grip while opening the oyster.
Steps to open an oyster with a screwdriver
i. Wash your screwdriver. The screwdriver is not intended to open oysters; thus, it is best to wash it. Besides, you will prevent the screwdriver from contaminating your oyster.
ii. Place the oyster on a thick towel and hold it firmly. Also, make sure you cover your hand with the towel to avoid injuries if the screwdriver slips.
iii. The next thing is to stick the screwdriver’s head into the oyster shell’s hinge and twist it firmly. To avoid breaking the shell, it is best you don’t use too much force.
iv. Cut the meat holding the shell with the blade of the screwdriver and fully open the oyster. You can enjoy your oyster with any source you like.
2. Use of oven
The use of an oven is normally preferred since it’s hands-free, thus requires less effort. When oysters are exposed to sudden heat, the shells open.
A hot oven will take less than 5 minutes.
Thus, it is advisable that you place a dozen oysters in a pan and put them in an oven.
After taking the oysters out, use any blade so long as it’s clean to cut the muscle holding the shell.
If it’s too hot and you enjoy your oysters when they are cold, then you should consider refrigerating for a few minutes.
3. The microwave
You might have several alternatives to open oysters at home, but might be you have never given a microwave a thought.
The good thing about using a microwave is that you can take about five oysters and place them in an oven. It is a good idea to put them on a plate and microwave at full power for a minute.
Besides, it would help if you were patient to wait for the microwave to go off and then take them out.
It is an interesting fact that oysters will only let a substantial amount of heat pass through them. Therefore, the meat will be warm but won’t get cooked.
The oyster will be much easier to open with a plain kitchen knife.
4. Steam open
The method usually requires you to boil the oysters.
The first thing is to put the oysters in a large pot and cover the pot with water.
Boil the water for around five minutes and ensure the water doesn’t boil over.
After the five minutes are over, you will realize that the oysters will open.
Hence, they are ready for further preparation. You can add your favourite sauce and some lemon.
5. Fire
One of the safest ways to open an oyster without using a shucking knife is by heat. It is advisable to cook the oyster with the hinged side facing up while the cupped side to be down.
When the oyster gets too hot, it will pop open.
The benefit of this method is, if there is any steam, it will go in the opposite direction. It is best that you are patient with this method, but it’s a great way to open an oyster.
Things to avoid when Shucking an Oyster
It is best that you don’t give up using whatever method you choose till the oysters are open.
Besides, some methods are dangerous, especially if a screwdriver slips and lands on your hand. It will definitely make a deep wound.
Use of a standard knife is not recommended since the oyster shell will leave it damaged.
Besides, the knife will most probably puncture the meat in the process of using force to open up the shell.
After using the screwdriver, it is best to wish it. If you forget to wash the screwdriver, then be ready to smell the rotting aromas of shellfish.
How To Shuck Oysters Without An Oyster Knife
Seafood lovers rarely use a shucking knife. Thus, it is not the only way to open oysters.
Alternatives methods you should consider are;
• Use of a screwdriver
• Use of an oven
• The microwave
• Steam open method and
• Fire
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Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.
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