Meet the Vendor -- Circle C Oyster Ranchers Assn.

Have you stopped by for a chat with Circle C Oyster guy extraordinaire Rich Pelz yet? Beyond having fantastic -- fantastic -- oysters, Rich is an engaging storyteller. I chatted with him last weekend at the market and learned a bit about the oyster ranching techniques that he's developed over the past 20 years. He's very active in developing new aquaculture technology, and passionate about the Chesapeake Bay and its surroundings. Rich also gives an amazing oyster shucking demonstration. His oysters have unusually thin shells (which means more meat inside) and they can be shucked using only kitchen scissors and a kitchen knife. Pretty impressive stuff! You might be wondering about the Circle C name -- pretty unusual. Well, Rich developed a system of growing oysters that causes some of the oysters to develop a white stripe down their middle -- sort of a tan line. The growing system allows the oysters to grow near the water surface where algae grows. The oysters graze on this algae, which results in a particularly sweet, mild oyster. I think the technical term is "good eatin'." Visit the Circle C Ranchers Association website to learn more about the oysters and ranching methods, and for some great recipes. And make sure to stop by and say hello to Rich and his assistants at the market. He'll tell you a story or tow, and you'll go home with some of the best oysters you've ever tasted.