Oysters

These days, oysters are an expensive luxury, which makes it difficult to believe that they were once the food of the poor. They are available all year round but are best between October and February, when the sea is cold. Oyster-lovers prefer to eat them raw from the shell, sprinkled with a little lemon juice, but they can be eaten cooked. Try grilling them briefly in their half-shells, sprinkled with shallots and a little butter.