The oysters were relatively cheap and plentiful last weekend in Brisbane, so we went through two dozen.

I ate most of them.

Every time I visit the fishmonger, he asks if I want to sample a raw oyster to verify their quality and I say, no thanks. I prefer mine grilled.

Louisiana health officials say they closed a harvesting area and ordered a recall of oysters taken from there since April 26 after 14 people became ill with norovirus.

The closure started Tuesday and was expected to last at least three weeks.

The recall includes shucked, frozen, breaded and processed oysters and those for the half-shell market taken from Area 23 in Terrebonne Parish southwest of New Orleans. In addition to the New Orleans area, some of the oysters were shipped to Maryland, Texas and Georgia.

Health officials said the people became ill after eating oysters from that area at one New Orleans area restaurant April 28 or April 29.

As Jimmy sings, “Give me oysters and beer, for dinner every day of the year, and I’ll feel fine …
With a tin cup for a chalice, fill it up with good red wine, I’ll be chewing on a honeysuckle vine.”