Food · · 2 min read
Oualidia oysters: where they come from and how to enjoy them
Farmed in the lagoon, Oualidia oysters are the best known in Morocco. How they grow, where to eat them and what goes with them.
In Morocco, oysters mean Oualidia. The village made its name thanks to its lagoon, where oysters have been farmed since the 1950s. For many visitors, coming to Oualidia is first of all about eating them, facing the water they come from.
Why the lagoon
The lagoon is sheltered from the swell by a strip of sand but stays connected to the ocean. With every tide, Atlantic water flows in and out: it is constantly renewed and brings food for the shellfish. Calm and rich at the same time, these conditions suit oyster farming. The farms take up part of the lagoon; you can see them from a boat at high tide.
How to eat them
The simplest is often the best: oysters opened in front of you, a wedge of lemon, a piece of bread. They are eaten by the dozen, by the water or on a terrace. Some places also serve them grilled with a topping.
The rest of the seafood
Oysters do not come alone. The boats bring in fish, prawns, sea urchins or spider crabs every day, depending on the season. A seafood platter or a grilled fish, and the meal is complete.
Cooking them yourself
If you are staying in an apartment with a kitchen, you can also buy your oysters and fish and cook the meal yourself. All you need is an oyster knife, lemons and some ice to keep them cold.
FAQ
Where to eat oysters in Oualidia?
Along the lagoon, in the restaurants and on the terraces overlooking the water, and from the farmers who sell their oysters on site.
Can you eat oysters all year round in Oualidia?
Not always: depending on the season and the state of the lagoon, sales can be paused for a few weeks. If oysters are the reason for your trip, check before you come, for example by messaging us on WhatsApp.
How do you open an oyster?
Hold the oyster flat in a cloth, slide the tip of the knife near the hinge, twist to pry it open, then cut the muscle under the top shell.
