Wild Sengekontacket Pond Oysters (Edgartown)
Location: Sengekontacket Pond,
Edgartown, MA (V16)
Size: 3-4 Inches (Medium)
Method: Aquaculture-Cage Grown for a year and then spread in the pond by the Edgartown Shellfish Department to help maintain the pond's water quality. Fishermen may harvest them using hand rakes once they reach 3" from January-April each year.
Flavor: Plump & Briny
A great tasting oyster however you like to eat them. Because these are harvested and available in the winter only, we tend to think about consuming them a little differently than we do with summer oysters.
Enjoy them icy on the half-shell with some spicy cocktail sauce, chargrilled with a scoop of pesto, or ditch the shell altogether and make an amazing oyster stew or chowder!
Menemsha Creek Oysters (Chilmark)
Farm: Menemsha Creek Oyster Farm
Established: 2014
Farmers: Matthew & Todd Mayhew
Location: Menemsha Pond, Chilmark, MA (V2)
Size: 3-4 Inches (Medium)
Method: Aquaculture. Cage Grown at a deep water depth of 18-22ft. Raised from seed & harvested at 2 years old.
Flavor: Crisp & Clean
Clean sea salt blast, with a crisp, sweet finish. Their spectacular flavor is attributed to their unique mineral and nutrient rich environment, which is fed by both ancient freshwater springs and high Atlantic Ocean tidal flow.
Enjoy a Menemsha Creek Oyster with a spritz of lemon, or a mignonette to accentuate its flavor.
Pairs well with bubbles, whiskies, and sake.
It's in the Blood: Cousins, Matthew & Todd
As members of a commercial fishing family, Matthew & Todd grew up on the very waters they now raise their oysters in. Together, with the occasional assistance of sons, siblings, and cousins, they continue a family tradition, while charting their own course.
The Mayhew's pride themselves on being stewards of the Vineyard's rich fishing heritage, and preserving the beauty of our natural waters.
Blue Moon Oysters (Edgartown)
Farm: Blue Moon Oyster Farm
Established: 1997
Farmer: Scott Castro
Location: Katama Bay, Edgartown, MA (V20)
Size: 4-4.5 Inches (Large)
Method: Aquaculture. Cage Grown off the bottom. Raised from seed & harvested at 18-24 months.
Flavor: Salty & Sweet
A briny blast hits you like an ocean wave, followed by smooth creaminess, and a sweet finish. With firm meat and an abundance of briny liquor, this oyster is a Vineyard favorite with an icy cold IPA or a Muscadet.
Rough on the outside & sweet on the inside, Blue Moon Oysters embody the true spirit of Vineyard fishermen.
An Original: Scott Castro
In the mid 1990's, Scott was one of sixteen commercial fishermen who had the opportunity to be trained in something new - aquaculturally raising oysters in Katama Bay. Today he is one of the just three original oyster farmers still working the waters of the bay.
"Aquaculture is a lot of hard work. Like life, there's a cycle to it with good and bad, but the good times always win out."