The Ultimate Stocking Stuffer Guide for Seafood Lovers
Hang on a second. Christmas is just around the corner!? Wait, what?! How did that happen? Sweet baby Jesus, help me get those packages in the mail STAT!
With less than two weeks to go, you may have knocked out your gift giving list. But wait — there’s that pesky stocking… Aside from oysters, what on earth could you fill it with for your seafood-loving food sophisticate?
Rather than a full gift guide this year, I’ve put together a handful of my favorite “little” things that will make any seafood lover smile. From shucking knives, to conservas, to a handful of general must-haves in my pantry, I hope you can find that special something to give your loved one this season.
#1 – CONSERVAS
Preserved octopus, anchovies, and sardines are a delicious treat that pair perfectly with oysters. Betwenn $5-15, you can purchase a few of these and give your seafood lover the ultimate tinned charcuterie experience for the holidays.
Check out FISHWIFE, BAR HARBOR FOODS, CENTO, CONSERVAS DE CAMBADOS, or MAISON AROSTEGUY (in Europe).
#2 – OYSTER NOTE CARDS & PAPER GOODS
I am totally obsessed with oyster art, so who doesn’t appreciate a few note cards to keep for snail mail love letters? Check out Kim Hovell and Syd Evans Art for a few of my favorites. If your seafood fan is an entertainer, check out some other paper goods, like Caspari’s sea-inspired napkins!
#3 – OYSTER SALSA
It beats out cocktail sauce and horseradish in my book. For the perfect accoutrement, check out BLACK PEARL SPICE CO.
#4 – SEA SALTS
A powerful sea salt will put a smile on any sea-loving supertaster’s face. Check out BARRIER ISLANDS SALT, which is a rich, flaky salt from the Eastern Shore, Virginia. It goes a long way!
#5 – SAKE
Show your seafood lover that you’re hip with the times. Sake is one of my favorite pairings with shellfish these days, and there’s so many to choose from. One of my go-to’s is Tozai’s Snow Maiden Sake. Fruity, dry, affordable, and perfect with an oyster.
#6 – GIN
Alternatively, get “ginspired.” Slurp an oyster, grab a bottle of Hendricks Neptunia, and fill the empty shell with a shot to wash it down. Let the remnants of oyster liquor mix with this deliciously floral, classically cucumber gin.
