Ingredients

  • Peanut oil, for frying
  • 2 jalapenos, minced
  • 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and minced
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, zested, plus 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1 lime, zested, plus 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 20 oysters, shucked
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • Mayonnaise
  • Arugula
  • 4 to 5 French rolls, split

Method

  • Preheat a deep-fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, with enough peanut oil to come halfway up the sides of the pot, to 350 degrees F.
  • Relish:
  • Mix all ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
  • Oysters:
  • Mix the flour, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper, to taste, in a shallow bowl.
  • Add the eggs to another bowl and the bread crumbs to a third bowl.
  • Dredge the oysters in the flour mixture, then in egg and then in bread crumbs.
  • Arrange the breaded oysters on a platter lined with parchment.
  • Fry the oysters, in batches, until crisp and light brown, about 1 to 2 minutes Remove to a paper towel lined platter and season with salt and pepper and a dash of lemon juice.
  • To assemble sandwiches:
  • Spread mayonnaise and relish on the bottoms of the rolls.
  • Add 4 to 5 oysters to each roll and top with a few leaves of arugula.
  • Cover with the roll tops and serve.