If you have a large pot with a steamer basket that’s the easiest way to steam clams. Once you have cleaned and purged the clams it’s time to steam them. I prefer to purge my clams in salted water so they still have that clean saltwater flavor.

This will make sure you don’t have gritty clams when you eat them after cooking. Next you’ll need to purge any sand out of the clams by soaking clams in cold water for about an hour. Simply give the clams a light scrub under cold water and rinse thoroughly. If not, it’s no big deal and you’ll just need to clean them yourself. Always ask your fishmonger if the clams have already been cleaned and purged. Oftentimes the outer shells will be muddy with some sand on the outside. When purchasing clams you may need to do some work before cooking. Clams are named and classified based on size, the smaller clams are sweeter and more tender while larger clams have a tougher texture often chopped up for soups and chowders. Their name for the mollusk was poquauhock which over time morphed into the word quahog by early English settlers.

Clams and other shellfish were a main source of sustenance for the native Americans of the Narragansett tribe. The clams I grew up on all hail from the northeastern United States. You also have varieties like Atlantic and pacific razor clams as well as the very peculiar looking Geuduck clam. Other varieties like Manila clams found on the west coast are small and sweet, mainly served in pasta dishes or steamed and served with clarified butter. There are many different varieties of clams but the ones most commonly consumed are found in the northeastern United States. In New Orleans Oysters Casino is very popular due to the abundance of oysters in the Mississippi and nearby gulf. The recipe traditionally includes clams, bell peppers, bacon and breadcrumbs but there are many variations. Created as a special request of a woman who was looking to impress her guests. Legend has it they were first served at the little Casino in Narragansett Rhode Island. Do I have your Attention? History of Clams CasinoĬlams Casino first showed up on menus in the early 1900’s in the Northeastern United States. Jumbo Keto Clams Casino are made with fresh cherrystone clams and loaded with bacon, butter and cheese.

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