"sf" > wrote
>>I don't buy clams and oysters in the shell, and didn't when I bought them.
>>
> Well, that's a straight forward answer!
>
> In my experience, shellfish in their shells cost less per pound. It
> seems to work out cost-wise. If you don't want to put in the labor,
> buy them shucked but be prepared to spend more. For me the dilemma is
> with shrimp... shells or no shells. I don't remember ever seeing raw
> or even cooked mussels and sometimes I see shelled, cooked clams sold
> by the pound. Raw oysters regularly come shucked or in the shell -
> sometimes I see them on the half shell too - but not as often as I use
> to these days. I usually buy all three in the shell because I cook
> them very simply (nothing fancy) and they are easy to extract because
> their shells have popped open.
>
> I've can't recall even having the opportunity to buy scallops in
> shells. There are a lot of places I might find them. Locally, Ranch
> 99 comes to mind. But I haven't been there in ages and don't remember
> if they carry sea scallops in shells or not. I know for sure I've
> never seen bay scallops in their shells.
>

You're a hard worker. Even when I lived in Maryland, we bought oysters
already shucked. I only like them fried, or done enbrochette with scallops
and bacon.. My dad and grandfather pulled them out of the creek with tongs,
rinsed them in the creek water, pried them open, added tabasco, and slurped
them down.