Amazing Seafood

The last posts have concentrated on things we've seen and places we've been.  It's time to devote a posting solely to the wonderful seafood feasts we have enjoyed while being in all these oceanside cities and campgrounds.  John and I love fresh fish and shellfish, both of which are hard to come by in Kalamazoo, if you emphasize the term "fresh".  Unfortunately, in most local (Michigan) groceries there is a telltale odor as you approach the fish counter.  When you are buying really fresh seafood, the stores smell sweet and fresh, the fish is firm and lovely.   I described in earlier posts some of the seafood we enjoyed at a couple of restaurants in Charleston, but we also made a wonderful, simple meal with tilefish - a fish with which we were unfamiliar, but it looked lovely, white and firm sitting on the ice at the fish store, so we found a great recipe online, got the ingredients, and made a wonderful dinner (here is the Bobby Flay recipe if anyone is interested: http://tinyurl.com/8x7zzcj ).  Had enough of the green been mixture in that recipe to share some leftovers with Nancy and Lynn when they came to the camper for dinner the next night.

We've had some exceptional shrimp, just done as a simple seasoned boil.  One night we had to struggle with peeling the shells, very unusual; when we looked it up on the internet the answer appears to be that when you purchase shrimp that are fairly freshly molted, they can be very difficult to peel - learned something new.  

All the other shrimp have been wonderful and easily peeled....and HUGE.   Had grouper one night, which was fresh and fine, but not as exceptional as some of the other fish we've had.

Once we got to Pensacola and the Fort Pickens National Seashore Campground, we discovered Joe Patti's (check out the website and the history here).   Now THIS is a seafood store!   Right on the edge of the gulf, with their own fishing boat fleet right next to the store, Joe Patti's offers not only really fresh gulf fishes and shellfish, but also imports from a variety of places, each meticulously labeled, each handled with care to ensure freshness both in the store and in transit after it has been purchased.   When we walked in and saw the extra long counter with people lined up to buy, we thought we'd have quite the wait to make our own purchase, but they have an incredibly organized system going, so no one has more than a couple of minutes wait.  They were selling in huge quantities and very large whole fishes to restaurant chefs who were picking fish for both sushi and cooking for subsequent delivery; they were selling to individuals who brought in several coolers for transporting their large and varied personal orders, and serving with just as much care those, like us, who were making a small, personal purchase. You can buy the fish as displayed, or have them further dress the fish if desired.  For example, we purchased whole speckled trout and asked that they filet them - no problem - done with a smile in just a few minutes, and they asked if we wanted to have them pack the head and bones also for soup.  They steam shellfish on demand for no extra cost, but to ensure proper cooking for both safety and customer satisfaction.  We kept our shellfish fresh and prepared them in the camper for our evening meals.  

One of the best meals ever, was a mussel, shrimp, and fish chowder with a loaf of freshly baked bread to absorb the wonderful juice created by the seasoning elements and the seafood; photos of preparation and finished meal follow.   The kitchen it the little Silver Spirit is really very efficient and easy to work in!

Last night we had speckled trout (again from Joe Petti's) - simply fried in butter with light seasoning of salt and pepper, with a bit of lemon juice squeezed over them - superb!  We may be camping, but we certainly are not eating "rough and ready" meals, but rather lovely, healthy food that we thoroughly enjoy.  We hope you all are enjoying good food and good company at home, as we are on the road!

Today's agenda includes lunch at a barbecue cook-off in Mobile (my mouth is watering in anticipation), followed by a visit to Bellingrath Gardens, Mobile.   We'll report later.