October 2 National Fried Scallops Day #FriedScallopsDay

Charlie surprised me the other day when Charlie said he would like to try Lobster because David is the only one who eats Seafood and like Chinese Food that isn’t something he eats very often I’ve been thinking I would take Charlie to Red Lobster for a mom/ son date before he leaves for a week at his friends home out of State.

We all know that won’t work and David will want to go with us. Which is fine because it gives us #familytime together which we need. I just hope and PRAY Red Lobster has something besides Seafood or I will be going hungry and that the restaurant doesn’t taste like Fish which I can’t stand. Can you?

October is a treasure trove of a month for celebrating Seafood, and what better way to start the feast than by celebrating National Fried Scallops Day on October 2nd? When cooked the right way, Scallops become the perfect melt-in-your-mouth delicacy, taking you on a food ride of Oceanic excellence.

Scallops belong to the Pectinidae family of Mollusks. Scallops can swim in the water by rapidly closing and opening their Shells using a muscle, which is usually the most consumed part by humans. Scallops are enjoyed in a variety of ways including in Soups, Pasta, or Sushi,, but one of the most popular and loved Scallops are the ones fried in Butter and a mixture of Herbs and other flavors.

While all our attention should be delicious fried Scallops on National Fried Scallops Day, but did you know that it is usually Oysters that tend to get all the love whenever Shellfish is being talked about? Oysters are great, but Scallops are pretty on par with them.

Scallops have been around for a long time now and Scallops have been found in Fossil forms that are as old as 300 million years. The Marine Bivalve Mollusks come from the general family of Pectinidae. Their cosmopolitanism means that they can be found in every Ocean in the world, making them a good source for studying the science of Oceans.

Scallops are known to travel short distances, but they are also capable of traveling great distances by simply moving their shells rapidly on the Ocean floor. Apart from their delicious Meat, Scallops are also appreciated and prized for their aesthetically colorful shells. Many vacationers and Beach enthusiasts collect the shells to keep as prized possessions in their collections.

Scallops started gaining popularity in the U.S. in the 19th Century only, as before that the food item wasn’t considered to be the choice food for many. When people started immigrating to America in the 1600s, they found the Shores to be rich with food, ranging from Shellfish to Cod, and it was the latter that was harvested more.

Clams, Lobsters, Shrimps, and Oysters were the most popular of the Shellfish, while Mussels and Scallops were not a favorite due to their unconventional sweet flavors. However, as more and more people came to America, Scallops recipes started evolving, and by the 1920s, Scallops had become a staple in American households and on restaurant menus. People enjoyed Scallops by sauteing Scallops and frying Scallops in Butter. Many also liked Scallops baked, stuffed, and pickled.

National Fried Scallops Day Activities

1. Fried Scallops are one of the simplest dishes out there, but Scallops does require a certain level of cooking experience to prepare Scallops properly. It’s very easy to overcook Scallops, and if you do you will have Scallops that are rubbery and chewy to eat. Perfectly cooked Scallops simply melt in your mouth. Try your hand at frying Scallops.
2. You may have tried fried Scallops from a five-star restaurant, but have you tried Scallops at a good ol’ Clam Shack? Oftentimes, the fried Scallops being served at places that offer freshly caught produce, so the flavors will hit differently in the best way possible.
3. Fried Scallops are a classic in their own right and the dish’s versatility also means that Scallops goes great with many other food recipes. Try your hand at Pasta or Soup with Scallops as the star of the dish.

5 Facts About Scallops

1. Did you know the rings on a Scallop Shell point to its age, with a ring being added for each year of its life.
2. A Scallop Shell will always remain partially open, unlike Oysters or Mussels.
3. Scallop Shells are a symbol of birth in Christianity and Greek mythology.
4. Unlike their Cousins like Clams, Scallops are one of the cleanest Shellfish out there as their Muscles do not filter water.
5. Scallops have around 50 eyes around the edges of their shells, using them to detect light and movement around them.

Why People Love National Fried Scallops Day

1. Scallops might have been underrated in the past, but today we celebrate Scallops with full fanfare. Scallops amazing qualities relating to their biological features and movements are fodder for fascination and imagination, so much so that, apart from the food world, Scallops have become an important part of religion, culture, art, and literature.
2. If humans won’t understand the value of cosmopolitanism, then who will? Cosmopolitanism has been of immense benefit to many around the world. From experiencing new cultures and languages to getting exposed to newer perspectives, it has shown us how things are meant to be. Scallops, which are just one example of nature’s cosmopolitanism, show us how to adapt according to the environment we are in.
3. Because Scallops are found in every corner of the world, the ways you can enjoy Scallops are countless. Have Scallops in Butter or with Soup, Pasta, or Stew choices are endless and because of this there’s something for everyone here.

Recipe for Fried Scallops

Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 20 mins Servings: 3

Ingredients

• 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tablespoon salt
• ½ tablespoon ground black pepper
• 12 large fresh scallops

Directions

1. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Pour buttermilk into a bowl. Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a second bowl. Dip 4 or 5 scallops in buttermilk, then roll in flour mixture until thickly coated.
3. Cook coated scallops in hot oil until golden and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat coating and frying remaining scallops.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates