Retail oysters part 2--where to get crushed ice?

[SeaSide Tomato]

OK--getting 100 oysters for home-shucking on SAT. for a dinner party for 18 (# keeps growing-yikes!!)

I want the oysters shucked and laid ouy on a platter(S)on a bed of crushed ice. I'm thinking I'll be getting ice and and smashing it in bag with a mallet until desired texure is reached.

Any alternatives? The hour before guests arrive is always pretty busy (all right, the 48 hours before guests arrive is always pretty busy!). If there's a source for crushed ice that will me the time and effort--local to Quincy--would be great. Do I just go to my favorite restauant and ask a favor?

Danke!

Seaside

p.s. no blender for this

[Mike5966]

I hope to know someone as cool as you when I am 60.

[SeaSide Tomato]

Aw Shucks!! I'm doing this for my sister who's just turned 60. She's cool! this doesn;t hold a candle to her and my brother's 40th birthday gift to me!

FYI--said brother was charged with picking up oyster. He deeked fromn Island Creek to Belle Isle (sp?) since he's in Winthrop alot. Same deal--$1 each.

Bella--thanks! We are shucking at 4:00 and people arrrive at 5:00--and will continue shucking as needed. Do you really think larger cubes? Won't my oysters slide off?

Sorry-only ever been served them. Not anymore!

[okra]

May I suggest...
keeping your oysters cold and still for a couple hours before you attempt shucking 'em. It does make a difference. Have a sturdy table, double the amount of clean towels that you think you'll need, and a spare knife or two. You might be surprised that a guest might want to jump to your side of the table and shuck with you.

Enjoy!

[SeaSide Tomato]

Danke!!

[Bellachefa]

since you are preshucking I would suggest the larger drink ice which you can buy anywhere - smaller then cube but will stand up longer then crushed

[srsone]

or u can try a local ice house...
they probably have ice or can make ice in any shape/size u might need or find useful

[srsone]

i did a little googling...

place called Brookline ice and coal...
they have "snow ice" for raw bars...
or even ice bowls and or displays....

[SeaSide Tomato]

many thanks

[srsone]

yw....

sounds like its going to be quite a party.....

do we need to alert the Quincy PD for a bunch of people gettin loopy on oysters?

:-P

[SeaSide Tomato]

HAH!!

It's for a 60th birthday party so I think the PD can relax! although you never know with my familly!

[andieb]

And in case they are not able to supply ice (which I can't imagine) there's always brookline ice, and they will deliver...

[Mike5966]

When I get oysters from WF, I just ask the guy if he can give me a bag of ice to go with it. Where are you getting your oysters from?

[SeaSide Tomato]

Island creek.

And thanks Mike and Galley--duh! why did I not think of that!

[galleygirl]

You get it from whoever supplies you with the oysters....