relay
n.— «There are millions of hard-shell clams on the harbor bottom, but pollutants and bacteria can make the shellfish dangerous to eat, especially raw. Some are okay for “relay,” a process whereby tainted shellfish are moved to a clean spot for a few weeks so they purge themselves and can be safely consumed. Most high-end suppliers and restaurants shy away from such clams, but because they’re much cheaper, some establishments inconspicuously serve them.» —“Secrets of the Deep” by Christopher Bonanos New York Magazine May 10, 2009. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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