Yerseke, Wemeldinge, Vlake

Few dishes are more spectacular than Fruits de Mer. Did you know that in the Eastern Scheldt you will find various seafood to compose your own plateau? Here are some seafood that should definitely not be missing from your plate:

**Mussels**
Whoever says mussels, says Yerseke. Today, this village is the centre of mussel culture in Europe, but it was not always so. In the 15th century, Tholen was leading in mussel fishing, although there was also fanatical fishing in Yerseke and surrounding villages.
Competition between fishermen was fierce. In 1837, Tholen mussel fishermen were chased out by six fishermen from Yerseke, and tensions on the Eastern Scheldt continued to rise. Squabbles over fishing grounds led to what was later called the ‘mussel wars’. Eventually, the government intervened: a Royal Decree restricted fishing, shifting the focus to mussel farming.
On specially set-up plots in the Oosterschelde, the cultivated mussels grew into a household name: Zeeland Mussels, praised for their high meat content and salty, creamy taste. Today, Yerseke is home to the world's only mussel auction.

**Oysters**
A dish of Fruits de Mer is not complete without oysters. This delicacy is also grown in the Oosterschelde. From 1870, wealthy oyster barons moved to Yerseke to grow oysters. They thrived in the oyster pits and trade flourished. There is gold rush: fortune-seekers flock in hoping to make a fortune from the oyster trade. Perhaps this is thanks to the womaniser Casanova, who had just before claimed that eating 50 oysters a day would be aphrodisiac. Be that as it may, disease and harsh winters weighed on the trade, and the Zeeland oyster was squeezed out. Fortunately, the Japanese oyster offered a solution: this species thrives in the Eastern Scheldt and is now a fixture in Zeeland oyster farming.

**Lobsters**
In 1867, the Kreekrak dam was constructed for the railway line between Vlissingen and Roosendaal. This stops the Scheldt water from flowing into the Eastern Scheldt, inadvertently creating a perfect habitat for lobsters. The salinity of the water becomes more stable and along the reinforced coast the stones and boulders provide ideal hiding places.
Here lives the Eastern Scheldt lobster, a unique species of lobster that is genetically different from other European lobsters. Known for its refined taste, it is a sought-after delicacy. Between Wemeldinge and Zandkreek are some of the best lobster plots, where this exclusive lobster is caught and goes directly to top restaurants.

**Cokkles**
Cockles are mainly caught in the Wadden Sea, but they may also be fished in the Oosterschelde if the stock allows it. This has been the case in recent years, which is why more and more cockles are being fished by hand here. This is done with so-called hand cockle fishing, an environmentally friendly method where the cockles are taken from the bottom with a rake and scoop net.
Cockles are particularly common in the mouth of the Eastern Scheldt. They are harvested manually and then brought to Yerseke for processing and sale. Here, they find their way to restaurants and fish shops, where they are loved for their salty, nutty flavour.

The Eastern Scheldt is also home to other shellfish such as periwinkles, crabs and shrimps. Is your mouth already watering? Then order a plate of Fruits de Mer along the way and taste for yourself what the sea has to offer!

This premium route was compiled by our editor: Elwin Croeze