Cookbook:Clam

Clam
Clam
Category	Shellfish

Clams are are group of hinged shellfish.^[1]

Varieties

There are many varieties of clam distributed worldwide,^[2] and the available varieties will depend on what lives locally.

Hard-shell/Quahog

These clams are found on the east coast of North America and go by many names depending on their size.^[1] The smallest are littlenecks, followed by topnecks, cherrystones, and chowders.^[3]^[4] The flesh is white and mildly briny.^[1]

Surf

Also found in the Atlantic, these are yellow- to orange-fleshed clams.^[4] They tend to be chewier, and frying (e.g as clam strips) is a good option.^[1]^[4] They also tend to be processed for sale and are available canned.^[5]

Soft-shell

These Atlantic clams have brittle shells and never close completely. The flesh is tender, which makes them commonly consumed steamed.^[4]^[6]

Atlantic razor/jackknife

Atlantic razor or jackknife clams are long, thin, rectangular clams. The flesh is cream-colored and somewhat tough but flavorful, and they are often steamed.^[1]

Pacific razor

Somewhat wider and thicker than the Atlantic variety, these clams have white flesh and a delicate flavor.^[4]

Cockle

Though not technically clams, cockles look extremely similar and have a distribution across continents. They are treated pretty much the same as clams in most respects.^[6]

Manila/Asari

Manila clams are very popular in East Asia and the Pacific coast of North America, where they are commonly found. The shells are ridged, and they have a sweeter flavor compared to some other clam varieties.^[4]^[7]

Geoduck

Geoduck clams are very large, with long, wrinkled siphons, and they also do not close completely. The meat is tender and is often sliced thin and eaten raw.^[4]

Manila clams
Quahog clams
Soft-shell clam
Cockles
Geoduck clam
Pacific razor clam
Atlantic razor clams

Selection and storage

Since clams tend to accumulate toxins, it's best to either purchase from a reputable vendor or to gather them in locations designated as safe by the authorities.^[1]

When selecting whole clams, make sure to choose live ones. For hard-shell clams, the shells should be tightly closed or should close when you disturb them.^[2]^[8] For varieties of clam that never close completely, the tongue/siphon should move when disturbed.^[9] Clams that float in water are also dead.^[9] Discard and do not cook any dead clams. Live clams in their shells can be stored in the fridge for a day or two if kept in a damp towel or cloth bag.^[9] Never store them submerged or in a sealed container, as they will suffocate.^[1]^[9]

Shucked clams are also available, and they should smell fresh with no off ammonia or fishy odors.^[6] The meat should be plump and moist, with clear juices and no shell fragments.^[9] Store these in the fridge for up to a couple days. They can also be frozen in brine for a few months but can never be refrozen after thaw.^[9]

Cooked clam meat can be stored in the fridge, but it should not be frozen since this tends to give it a very tough texture.^[9]

Preparation

Because clams tend to accumulate sand and other grit inside their shells, it's generally a good idea to purge whole clams before cooking.^[2]^[10] To do this, submerge them in a gallon of water with ⅓ cup dissolved salt to mimic seawater for 30–60 minutes.^[10] Leave them undisturbed—they are sensitive to vibration—and they'll start to filter the water and eject their sand. Don't leave them submerged for longer than that without changing the water, since they'll use up the oxygen and suffocate.^[10]

If you are shucking hard-shell clams, freezing them for 15–20 minutes before letting them sit for a couple minutes at room temperature will help to relax their muscles. This will make it easier to insert a clam knife and twist the shell open.^[10]^[11] Make sure to reserve the flavorful clam juice when shucking if you want to use it in cooking.^[11]

Use

Clams are eaten worldwide and prepared in a variety of different ways. Some tender varieties may be eaten raw, either right out of their shells or as sashimi.^[8] When cooked in the shell, some varieties may be grilled, steamed, or tossed directly into soups/sauces—in these cases, the shells must be plucked from the dish and discarded. Shucked clam meat can also be cooked and incorporated into a variety of dishes. Fried and stuffed clams are eaten in the United States, along with clam chowder.^[2]^[6] Pasta alla vongole is an Italian dish of clams and pasta.

Overcooking clams will make the flesh tough and unappetizing.^[6]^[11] Ideally, cooking them quickly or over low heat is best. When cooking whole hard-shell clams, a good indicator of doneness is when the shell open up.^[6]