The One Canned Seafood You Shouldn't Eat Straight Out Of The Tin
While there sometimes seems to be a stigma against canned seafood in the food world, with the perception being that fresh seafood is the only kind worth eating, this restriction is neither practical nor economical for most of us. We can't exactly go out and catch our own seafood on a daily basis if we live in the city (or even if we're country dwellers since fishing seasons are regulated by law), while fresh seafood can be pretty spendy. Canned fish, however, can be just as nutritious as the fresh kind, and it's also quite tasty, as well.
Most types of canned seafood, including salmon, tuna, and sardines, are cooked before they go into the can. There is one kind of seafood, however, that's not always pre-cooked: oysters. While many types of canned oysters are either smoked or boiled, it's also possible to buy uncooked oysters in jars or cans. Fresh oysters are often eaten raw, but the ones in the cans (or jars) are certainly not going to taste the same as the ones that have just been shucked. They're not necessarily dangerous to consume, but it's probably best to save them for cooking. So be sure to check the label in case they aren't intended to be eaten from the can.
Here's what to do with both types of canned oysters
@anjabfoodie The texture of this is how I thought the fried ones would be! These are way less mushy and dare I say good! 👀 #oysters #cannedfish #fish #foodlover
If you've bought pre-cooked canned oysters, particularly the flavorful smoked ones, then yes, you can eat them straight out of the can, although to avoid any metallic taste or the possibility of cutting yourself on any sharp lid edges, we'd suggest at least dumping them onto a plate. Smoked oysters go great with crackers and can also be blended with cream cheese and sour cream to make a dip for potato chips or crudites.
Plain canned oysters, whether boiled or raw, are excellent for oyster stew and you can also dip them in breadcrumbs and fry them. Sandwich the fried oysters in a hollowed-out baguette and top them with remoulade and you've got yourself an oyster po'boy. You can also wrap canned oysters in bacon and grill them to make a sophisticated little canape or mix them into your stuffing for a New England-style Thanksgiving dinner. Canned oysters sauteed in lemon butter and tossed with pasta make a delightful summertime supper, while oysters in a creamy white sauce are tasty with toast points. (This preparation works with the smoked kind, as well.) Pretty much anything you can do with a fresh oyster you can do with a canned one, except eating them on the half shell since their shells are long gone.