SEAFOOD
Growing up in land-locked Kansas, I was not very acquainted with sea food at an early age, unless you count the occasional can of tuna, some Campbell's Oyster stew and the frozen fish sticks that mom served now and then. I don't remember any chowders, canned or otherwise but once in a while there was fresh catfish caught in the local river by cousin Jerome and his dad, Herman, who was an avid fisherman and always shared his catch of the day with our family.
When I began my college days, I discovered that wonder of wonders.....the shrimp cocktail and to this day I pity those with allergies to shellfish. I think Clam strips arrived on the scene about the same time to be followed closely by fried oysters. Salivation salvation!
But speaking of shellfish, I don't think I ever had a lobster unitl I moved to New York in the early 60's. Drawn butter......or Lobster Newburg. Or bisque.
Lobster rolls came later (in Gloucester, Mass.)
At any rate, imagine my surprise when I was dining out with Fabian (mid- 70's) in a small restaurant in Akron, Ohio (of all places). We were decorating Christmas trees for the company we worked for and on an expense account so our meals were virtually free.
There, on the menu was "Soft Shell Crabs" with a choice of sauteed or deep fried. What? Well, we both challenged our palates that night and those babies have been my downfall ever since.
Now, living in Florida, most seafood is abundant at almost all of out restaurants, the local supermarket and the fish stores. So I get my fill when ever I want...……..but strange as it may seem, every now and then, I return to my roots and pop some fish sticks in the oven and remember land-locked Kansas. Go figure.
When I began my college days, I discovered that wonder of wonders.....the shrimp cocktail and to this day I pity those with allergies to shellfish. I think Clam strips arrived on the scene about the same time to be followed closely by fried oysters. Salivation salvation!But speaking of shellfish, I don't think I ever had a lobster unitl I moved to New York in the early 60's. Drawn butter......or Lobster Newburg. Or bisque.
Lobster rolls came later (in Gloucester, Mass.)
At any rate, imagine my surprise when I was dining out with Fabian (mid- 70's) in a small restaurant in Akron, Ohio (of all places). We were decorating Christmas trees for the company we worked for and on an expense account so our meals were virtually free.
There, on the menu was "Soft Shell Crabs" with a choice of sauteed or deep fried. What? Well, we both challenged our palates that night and those babies have been my downfall ever since.
Now, living in Florida, most seafood is abundant at almost all of out restaurants, the local supermarket and the fish stores. So I get my fill when ever I want...……..but strange as it may seem, every now and then, I return to my roots and pop some fish sticks in the oven and remember land-locked Kansas. Go figure.
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