Tag Archives: Placerville

Hangtown Fry, a Gold Rush Recipe

After my brother wrote about our scoundrel great-great grandfather, Jesse Morgan who went to California during the Gold Rush, I asked him to suggest some food item that might have been popular with the 49ers. Here’s what he said:

The most famous of the 49ers cuisine includes of course Sourdough Bread, Jackass Steak (tough rabbit), and the famous”Hangtown Fry.” Have you ever tried it? It’s still served out here. A Hangtown Fry recipe and an amusing story about the origins of the name, can be found under the 49ers section of the Food Timeline History.

Yes, we do need to talk about sourdough one of these days, but first let’s approach “Hangtown Fry.”  What is it and why is it called that?

What is in Hangtown Fry?

Oysters for Hangtown Fry

Oysters

It is oysters. Oysters were enormously popular in the early to mid 19th century.  Every hotel had an oyster bar and all classy restaurants–as well as not-so-classy ones had special oyster dishes.

Why is it Called Hangtown Fry?

According to a 1964 article in the Los Angeles Times, The town now known as Placerville was called Hangtown back in Gold Rush Days.  A man was condemned to be hung and when he was asked what he wanted for his last meal, he said eggs and oysters. He might have been motivated by the fact that on the wild frontier it would take some time to rustle up fresh eggs and oysters.

However, the Placerville website, linked above, says the likeliest story is a miner who struck it rich wanted the most expensive food he could order.

Home of Hangtown Fry

Cary House Hotel in Placerville California. Photo from their website.

 

At any rate, people still eat Hangtown Fry–either simple scrambled eggs and oysters or a version with bacon. Here’s a recipe from the historic Cary House Hotel in Placerville.

 

 

 

Hangtown Fry

Serves 3-4
Prep time 4 minutes
Cook time 8 minutes
Total time 12 minutes
Allergy Egg, Fish, Milk
Dietary Diabetic
Meal type Main Dish
Misc Serve Hot
Region American
Website City of Placerville/Cary House Hotel Hangtown Fry

Ingredients

  • 12 oysters (shucked)
  • 3 tablespoons flour (or finely crushed crackers)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 dash Pepper
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or bacon fat)
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Pat oysters dry.
2. Combine flour, salt and pepper and dip oysters into the flour mixture
3. Dip oysters into the beaten egg, and back in the flour.
4. Fry in the melted butter or bacon fat until edges curl, about 2 minutes per side.
5. Beat the 6 eggs with milk and salt and pepper. Pour into skillet with oysters. As it sets on the edges, fold over.
6. Continue cooking about four minutes until done through. Remove from heat and serve.

Note

Many recipes include bacon, and I would definitely top each serving with a couple of strips of crisp bacon.