Culture // 3 min Read

An Ode to Oysters

Written by Palmetto Bluff

In the Lowcountry, September’s arrival signals more than just the start of college football—it ushers in the cherished beginning of oyster season. As you navigate the many waterways, you’ll often spot white PVC markers standing tall, dotting the inlets and creeks, and marking bountiful oyster beds lying beneath. For connoisseurs and casual fans alike, the ritual of shucking oysters alongside good company is not only a beloved tradition but a South Carolinian rite of passage. In fact, this isn’t the first time oysters have been the stars of the show at Palmetto Bluff. Read our article in the Fall/Winter 2022 edition of the bluff here.

But these seemingly simple organisms serve a greater purpose than just pleasing our palates. Oysters feed by filtering algae from the water, functioning as natural filters and improving water overloaded with nutrients. Under certain conditions, a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day. They create areas of storm protection and reduce erosion, providing a stable bottom and a safe, nurturing habitat for juvenile crabs, scallops, and fish. [Source]

In honor of these salty-shelled delicacies, Palmetto Bluff’s Culinary Director, Chef Rhy Waddington, shares his favorite recipe for enjoying oysters this fall with friends and family.

 

OYSTERS KILPATRICK (An Australian Classic)

RECIPE from Chef Rhy

INGREDIENTS

– 12 fresh oysters, shucked on the half shell

– Rock salt

– ⅓ cup ketchup

– ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

– 1 lb thick-cut bacon (thinly sliced across the grain)

– A dash of hot sauce (Tabasco or your favorite)

– Juice of ½ lemon

– 1 tsp horseradish (optional)

– Lime wedges for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Shuck the oysters.

2. Place the oysters on a thick bed of rock salt on a baking pan (the rock salt is to keep the oysters snug and upright on the baking sheet so all the juices don’t trickle out when cooking them).

3. Mix together the sliced bacon, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, lemon juice, and hot sauce.

4. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to each oyster shell, then top with the bacon mixture.

5. Broil on high on the upper-middle baking rack for 10 minutes or until the bacon is browned and crispy. (Go a couple of minutes more if you would like your oysters cooked for longer.)

6. Serve with lime or lemon wedges.

 

Club Life
5 Reasons for the Season: Why We Love Fall in the Lowcountry

The golden glow of the marshes, the crisp air, and the sense of calm after a busy summer season all make this time of year unforgettable. Whether you’re enjoying the Bluff or exploring the wider coastal region, here are 5 reasons why fall is when the Lowcountr...

Oct 2025

Conservation
Watching Birds, Supporting Science: FeederWatch at Palmetto Bluff

Here in the Lowcountry, the Conservancy brings FeederWatch to life with guided sessions at the Conservancy’s bird feeders. Education and Outreach Manager Aaron Palmieri leads these gatherings, teaching attendees how to identify wintering species, choose the ri...

Sep 2025

Culture
Chef Beth’s Lowcountry 7 Layer Dip with Pimento Cheese

Ingredients 2 cups cooked sea island red peas, crushed with a fork 1 recipe of pimiento cheese dip (recipe below), room temperature 2 cups crème fraiche 1 cup fire-roasted bell peppers, sliced into strips 1.5 cups grilled corn, husked an...

Sep 2025

Real Estate
The Benefits Of Buying A Newly-Built Home In Palmetto Bluff

At Palmetto Bluff, newly built homes are more than residences—they are carefully crafted retreats offering the best of Lowcountry living. Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Co. Agent, Amanda Cutrer, shares the benefits of buying “new” in the Bluff. Builder Support ...

Sep 2025

Conservation
Lowcountry Canvas

Visionary land planner Mark Permar reflects on Palmetto Bluff's rich history and its enduring connection to the land. With Anson on the horizon, the legacy of designing with nature lives on.How did you first get involved with Palmetto Bluff?  I believe it was ...

Sep 2025

Architecture & Design
Palmetto Bluff Homes with Guest Homes and Casitas

Explore Available Listings with Room For the Whole Family At Palmetto Bluff, life moves at the pace of the tides; slow enough to savor, yet rich with moments worth sharing. And when it comes to welcoming the people you love most, the right home makes all the ...

Aug 2025
2025 bluffton real estate

Real Estate
Real Estate Sales Report: Palmetto Bluff’s 2025 Midyear Update

Real Estate in Bluffton, SC: Trends, Updates, and Insights The first half of 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable for Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Company, with sales volume, transaction count, and market share setting a strong pace for the year ahead. As ...

Aug 2025

Architecture & Design
Your Complete Guide to Lowcountry Landscaping

Enhancing Coastal Living With Lowcountry Landscaping Trends The Lowcountry lies along the southeastern coast of the United States, a region known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and unique culture. From the charming streets of Charleston to the...

Aug 2025

Conservation
Loyalties Divided

By Katie Epps, Palmetto Bluff Archaeologist Standing on the bluff that rises above the May River, gaze across the vast expanse of marsh and sky. This is a landscape virtually untouched by time. Imagine this vista in the eighteenth century, in the throes ...

Aug 2025

Club Life
Back to School at the Bluff

The school year has officially begun, and the sound of school buses can be heard throughout the Lowcountry. As is true for much of South Carolina, Bluffton and the surrounding areas have experienced exceptional growth over the past 10 years, and so have the op...

Aug 2025

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us