How long can a clam live once shucked?
You can store live clams in their shells or shuck for two to three days in the fridge. Frozen clam meat and clams in shells can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. What is the best way to store clams?
Are little neck clams and steamer clams the same?
The same holds true with littleneck clams, also known as steamer clams. When shoppers are choosing clams to eat, they should look for medium sized to small specimens, rather than going for the biggest clams they see. Clams should be alive at the time of purchase; this means that that their shells will snap shut when tapped.
How long can clams last in the freezer?
Store the clams in the refrigerator for up to three days. Place the clams in an airtight container or freezer bag. Pour the broth over the clams to keep them from becoming dry. Store them in the freezer for up to three months for best results. Store them in the refrigerator for three days.
How long do clams live in captivity?
They do best in a tank that is at least 100 gallons. Maxima Clams can live over 200 years and will reach 14" around 70 or 80 years, however most do not live that long in captivity and will more than likely grow to around 8 to 9" in most aquarists tanks during their first 30 years. Squamosa Clams usually will reach around 12" in captivity.
How do you eat long neck clams?
Use your fingers to pull off the skin covering the siphon of the clam. Discard with the shells into the shell bowl. Grip the siphon with your fingers, swirl the clam around in the hot broth (it will help to warm up the clams and to dislodge any remaining grit or sand). Dip the clam into melted butter and eat!
What is the difference between top neck and little neck clams?
What Are Their Differences? Little Neck: The smallest size of clam, amounting to 7-10 clams per pound. Cherry Stone: A little larger, you'll get 6-10 cherry stone clams per pound. Top Neck: These are sometimes also labeled as count neck clams, and they equal roughly 4 clams per pound.
What are neck clams?
These clams have a dark, hose-like protuberance that keeps the elongated shells from closing tightly. This neck (or foot, as it's sometimes called) is used to siphon and release ocean water and earns these clams the nicknames longneck clams or pisser clams.
What is the best tasting clams?
(Mercenaria mercenaria) Measuring from one to two inches across, the littleneck is the smallest quahog. Like chowder and cherrystone clams, it's mild and briny, but its size means it's the most tender (and prized) of the lot; the plump, juicy meat is excellent raw or cooked.
What are the best clams to eat raw?
The clam, sometimes seen as a poor cousin to the oyster, can also be enjoyed both raw and cooked. Best raw are tiny littlenecks or mid-sized cherrystones. Others, like quahogs or mahogany, are too chewy to be eaten raw, but are perfect for chowders and other cooked preparations.
What clams are not edible?
Unlike crabs, you won't be able to eat the entirety of a soft shell clam. The clamshell is thinner and more brittle than its hard shell cousins, but not edible. Shell colors are typically shades of white and gray, with a chalky appearance.
What is a large clam called?
Tridacna gigasThe giant clam, Tridacna gigas, is rarely found among coral reefs these days due to years of overharvesting. However, giant clam aquaculture has become a successful alternative to wild collection. Giant clams are a highly regulated species, protected under the Endangered Species Act.
What are different size clams called?
From smallest to largest, generally, countneck, littleneck, topneck, cherrystone, and chowder all describe different widths of the clam—and the word "quahog" itself is sometimes used specifically to describe chowder clams.
What kind of clams are fried clams?
Fried clams are made with soft shell clams, the kinds with big bellies and long, tender siphons.
What is the most expensive clam?
"Of all the clams, Geoduck has the cleanest and truest flavor of the sea," says Cimarusti. "I love, love, love them." The extremely phallic-looking clam is native to western Canada and the Pacific Northwest and is the largest — and most expensive — clam, prized by seafood-loving chefs around the world.
Are clams good for you?
This nutritious shellfish is incredibly protein-dense, and alongside liver, it is the most significant dietary source of vitamin B12. Clams are also loaded with beneficial minerals like iron and selenium. While clams do have some downsides, these can be negotiated by buying from reputable sources.
Can I eat clams raw?
To limit exposure to bacteria, viruses and parasites found in raw oysters and clams, especially if you have any of the health conditions listed above: NEVER eat raw shellfish (oysters or clams). ALWAYS choose cooked oysters and clams when eating these foods while dining out.
What are top neck clams used for?
Best Use: Grilled, stuffed and broiled, or served raw on the half-shell. Some consider topneck clams to be a size between littleneck and cherrystone, but the coveted cherrystone is more popular.
What are the best clams for steaming?
Steamers, littlenecks, and cherrystones are the best clams for steaming. There are two basic types of clams to choose from: soft and hard. Soft-shell clams—a misnomer because their shells aren't soft at all—have a small necklike siphon sticking out between their shells. They're also known as steamers.
What size are top neck clams?
Because of their versatility, top necks are generally the most popular clam up and down the East Coast, especially in the Philadelphia/New Jersey area. Their larger size, measuring between 2 1/8″ – 2 3/8″, makes for a hardy meal at roughly four clams per pound.
What are little neck clams used for?
In this fragrant dish, littlenecks are sauteed in clam juice, Chinese bean sauce, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Serve it as a first course or add steamed rice and treat it as a main. Get our Stir-Fried Clams with Spicy Bean Sauce recipe.
Etymology
The name geoduck is derived from a Lushootseed ( Nisqually) word gʷídəq either a word composed of a first element of unknown meaning and əq meaning "genitals" (referring to the shape of the clam), or a phrase meaning "dig deep", or perhaps both, as a double entendre.
Biology
Native to the west coast of Canada and the northwest coast of the United States (primarily Washington and British Columbia ), these marine bivalve mollusks are the largest burrowing clams in the world, weighing in at an average of 0.7 kilograms ( 1 + 1⁄2 lb) at maturity, but specimens weighing over 7 kilograms (15 lb) and as much as 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) in length are not unheard of..
Industry
The world's first geoduck fishery was created in 1970, but demand for the half-forgotten clam was low at first due to its texture. As of 2011 [update] , these clams sell in China for over US$33 per kilogram or $15 per pound.
Culinary uses
The large, meaty siphon is prized for its savory flavor and crunchy texture. Geoduck is regarded by some as an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape. It is very popular in China, where it is considered a delicacy, mostly eaten cooked in a fondue-style Chinese hot pot.
Chinese import ban
In December 2013, China imposed a ban on geoduck and other " double-shell aquatic animals "—such as clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops —that were imported from the west coast of the United States.
Popular culture
Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington has a geoduck named "Speedy" as mascot.
What Are Clams?
Clams are part of the bivalve family. Being bivalve means that they have shells with two hinges. They are found in both saltwater and freshwater. The clams that people eat come from saltwater. You do not often eat freshwater clams.
Different Types of Clams
Hard shell clams have a short siphon, which is the part of the clam that filters through the seawater to allow them to feed. They like to bury themselves in the sand that is shallow. These types of clams are often farmed clams. These clams are ideal for steaming, grilling, chowder, and using in pasta.
FAQs
Just about all clams are edible, however, there are some clams that you cannot eat the shell. Even though steamers are considered a soft shell clam, you cannot eat the shell of a steamer.
A heaping tray of steamed clams with bowls of broth and butter dipping is a sure sign of summer in New England. Here are some tips on how to cook steamers
Few summer seafood traditions in New England are as anticipated as the first batch of steamed clams (aka “steamers”).
Kind of Clams
Also called “steamer clams” or “long-neck clams,” soft-shell clams are oval in shape with an often protruding dark neck, or siphon. Small and tender, soft-shell clams are what we use for frying, but they’re also (as the name implies) fantastic steamed or in chowder.
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Details
The quintessential east coast clam, the quahog clam (aka quahaug, round clam, hard-shell clam) is much beloved throughout New England. Available in a wide variety of sizes, these clams are the variety of choice for traditional clam dishes like chowders, clam strips, stuffed clams and more.
Recipes & Tips
Quahog clams are extremely versatile as a species, but because size often correlates to tenderness, their best applications vary with their size.
Overview
The Pacific geoduck is a species of very large saltwater clam in the family Hiatellidae. The common name is derived from the Lushootseed (Nisqually) word gʷídəq.
The geoduck is native to the coastal waters of the eastern North Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Baja California. The shell of the clam ranges from 15 centimetr…
Etymology
The name geoduck is derived from a Lushootseed (Nisqually) word gʷídəq either a word composed of a first element of unknown meaning and əq meaning "genitals" (referring to the shape of the clam), or a phrase meaning "dig deep", or perhaps both, as a double entendre. It is sometimes known as a mud duck, king clam or, when translated literally from Chinese, an elephant-trunk clam (Chinese: …
Biology
Native to the west coast of Canada and the northwest coast of the United States (primarily Washington and British Columbia), these marine bivalve mollusks are the largest burrowing clams in the world, weighing in at an average of 0.7 kilograms (1+1⁄2 lb) at maturity, but specimens weighing over 7 kilograms (15 lb) and as much as 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) in length are not unheard of.
A related species, Panopea zelandica, is found in New Zealand and has been harvested commer…
Industry
The world's first geoduck fishery was created in 1970, but demand for the half-forgotten clam was low at first due to its texture. As of 2011 , these clams sell in China for over US$33 per kilogram or $15 per pound.
The geoduck's high market value has created an $80-million industry, with harvesting occurring in the US states of Alaska, Washington, and Oregon and the Canadian …
Culinary uses
The large, meaty siphon is prized for its savory flavor and crunchy texture. Geoduck is regarded by some as an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape. It is very popular in China, where it is considered a delicacy, mostly eaten cooked in a fondue-style Chinese hot pot. In Korean cuisine, geoducks are eaten raw with spicy chili sauce, sautéed, or in soups and stews. In Japan, geoduck is prepared as raw sashimi, dipped in soy sauce and wasabi. On Japanese menus in cheaper sushi …
Chinese import ban
In December 2013, China imposed a ban on geoduck and other "double-shell aquatic animals"—such as clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops—that were imported from the west coast of the United States. Chinese officials found in an Alaskan shipment high levels of saxitoxin, a natural product that certain shellfish can accumulate, which when eaten by humans, can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning resulting in severe illness or even death. A shipment from Washington state …
Popular culture
Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, has a geoduck as its mascot named Speedy.
Geoducks have also earned some internet infamy due to the phallic appearance of their siphons.
External links
• Man and Mollusc—Geoduck facts
• Geoduck.org; Underwater Harvester's Association
• Geoduck.org: UHA—BC Seafood Alliance,
• The Evergreen State College's Geoducks Page