27 June 2018 - Sum Gud Eatin

Buying and Cooking Clams

 "The clams you buy or harvest from the sea are different on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the U.S. - but on both coasts they make great eating."

Yesterday we talked about how to dig for clams.

So the next logical question would be "How do you eat them?"

If you went through the work of harvesting clams, you really don't want to ruin them by cooking them the wrong way.

The most popular way is to make a clam chowder.

Chowder is taken really seriously you guys.

Have you ever heard of restaurant wars over their clam chowder?

This is a real thing and consumers can be picky!

You might have even heard of a "clambake".

You steam clams, mussels, and lobster over hot rocks and seaweed.

This is serious business!

Here is a video on how to do a proper clambake.

 

  

Don't just try this on a whim. Maybe get a seasoned baker on your team for this day.

Let's say you are buying clams or holding onto clams for another day.

You have to prepare clams when they are alive.

If your clams have cracked shells or the shells are open and don't move when you tap them, throw them away!

Don't take a chance to eat them.

Once a clam or any mussel dies it begins to deteriorate immediately.

Bacteria begins to grow quickly and you risk some bad food poisoning if you eat them.

So remember to keep clams with closed shells and discard cracked or open clams.

This is especially important if you plan on eating the clam raw.

Eating these guys raw is totally okay.

Just like eating raw oysters.

They are so yummy with the right seasoning.

They are best served chilled with some lemon juice or cocktail sauce.