Cape Cod Rock Hopper

Rafts & Clam Fritters

I had a story a ready to do up for this week then and a special addition to put in it,, then I left the material in another place so it will have to wait till next week. Please be sure to come back next week, I hope it is worth the wait.
        So the question is what's floating around in the old gray matter this week. Well,, how about rafts and floaters. Before you fall on the floor laughing, stop and think about it. What a memory, these things bring back. First we have to remember all the places we used to get them at. At the Baskins at the corner of Lower County Rd and Shad Hole road, or what about the old 5 & 10 right in DennisPort.

   I also remember getting a couple at the old Bradlees department store. Good grief i had a nickel for every one we have bought over the years I think I might still be pushing a Thousand-air. I remember when we first started coming to the Cape we all had to have one and of course no one remembered to pack the old ones from the year before, and half of those had holes in them anyway from being used on the snow hills over the past winter. Anyway in the beginning they were skinny and short, and made of cheap thin plastic, mainly plane colors, but we all had to have. And in those days we were not smart enough to get them filled with air at the store. No we brought them back to the cottage promising dear old Dad that we would blow them up.

   Ya, doesn't Dad wish he had the other nickel for each time we all said that, cause eventually Dad got stuck blowing up each one of the rafts and by the last one was so winded he almost didn't want to go down to the beach with us, he just wanted to take a nap. Anyway, once we would get down there we all had to take them out and try each one. Of course we all got our lectures about not going out to far, be careful which way the tide is going and the wind is blowing. And don't be horsing around cause someone might get hurt. We all heard them, did many of us listen, heck no. Its was a toy, in the ocean and we were going to have fun. So fun we did have, we played King of the raft, Pirate games, Shark bits, BattleShip and a host of other games. We could make the most of a day in the water just us kids and our rafts.
    Over the years however, the rafts have gotten more sophisticated, they have become longer and wider, (I think from eating all the food we did while on vacation they figured over the years we put on a few extra pounds). They started getting more colors and designs, and each of us had to have the latest move hero or cartoon character that was hot on the T.V.. The material became stronger and sturdier and more durable, (some manufacturer was not thinking to brightly on this one). Then we started to see the shapes start to change to crazy and wild object. I remember when I had to have the Killer Whale, (and I was an adult by this time), what it practical, heck no but it was cool. This time though I remember Dad and him turning blue with the smaller rafts and got smart. Fill'er up I said to the store clerk when they asked if I wanted air. The only problem was then trying to figure how to get this big honking thing in the car to get it back to the cottage. Then there came the Sharks and the Gators and you name it. And before it was all over we had to get the inflatable boats that we could row out in, lay in, turn it over and lay on it and the games for even better, especially if you used the paddles correctly as a water blaster...
    Ok, now who is laughing about my memory, its for real, they bring back some really fun times, at the beach and in the water. Oh ya but one thing you never never ever did was if Mom was out in the water on her raft, you never tipped her over,, that was cause for time out for waaaaay to long of a time for any kid, at any age. Don't mess with Mom and her raft. Ok have a great day on the Cape, grab your raft and head to the beach for me, and before the day is done check the light house lamp to be sure its lit cause I still need to find my way back, the sooner the better. Here is to Old Cape Cod.
    Normally I stay with the recipes from our families books and boxes, however in my traversing my material for this weeks recipe I discovered just how few recipes I have for my main ingredient Clams. The primary recipe I have that comes from the family is Clam Pie and that I used 08/15/07 and I try not to repeat myself. So the next thing I do is go out to the extended family recipes to see if they have anything that I can use, barrow or down right beg or bribe to use. If that doesn't work I will start to look through my cookbooks to see if there is anything that sounds good, has been around for a while and that can be easily modified to fit my tastes. Well that latter is where I am at today, I found the premise of this weeks recipe in an old cookbook that also took its roots from another cookbook that dates back to the mid 1800. As usual I have added a couple things and changed up a couple others but, its a simple recipe that could be found in many older cook books. So with all that said here is my version of:
       
        Clam Fritters

•     4    cups      finally chopped clams, (of course best if using fresh) drain well
•     3    each      eggs, separated
•     2    cups      bread crumbs (for a little added flavor use the Herbed or Italian seasoned)
•     1    tsp        sea salt
•     1    tsp        pepper
•     2    tsp        Old Bay Seasoning
•     1    Tbsp.    parsley finely chopped
•     1    Tbsp.    shallots minced
•     1/2    cup     milk
•              vegetable oil

    Beat egg yolks to a froth, then add in the rest of the ingredients except vegetable oil and mix well. Add enough milk so that you have a thick batter.  Beat egg whites until stiff then fold into batter. If you have a heavy skillet that would be best to use, get hot and put in enough vegetable oil to just cover bottom of skillet. Using a teaspoon or small spoon drop the batter into the pan to fry. You will need to turn once so that both sides are browned.  (If you have a deep fryer could also drop the batter balls into that as well, please consult your manual for length of time to leave in oil). When you remove from pan place on news paper or paper bags to draw off any excess oil. Place in oven to keep warm until you have enough for dinner.