Market Name: Softshell clam
Scientific Name: Mya arenaria
Common Name: Steamer, longneck, belly clam, Ipswich clam, maninose, squirt clam, fryer, gaper
Flavor: Mild
Texture: Delicate/Medium
Description:
Softshell is actually a misnomer for this clam, whose oval-shaped shell is
actually thin and very brittle. Softshell clams average 1 1/2 to 3 inches
in length. Their shell cannot close completely because of a protruding
siphon. For this reason, softshell clams have a shorter shelf life than their
closed, hardshell cousins. Though softshell clam beds are found all along
the Atlantic Coast, the main commercial sources are Maine, Cape Cod
and Maryland. They are harvested by raking or hoeing with short-handled
churning hoes (shaped like inverted garden hoes). Since their shells gape,
softshell clams can be gritty. To purge the stomach of sand and debris, soak
clams in salted water (use 1/3 cup of salt per gallon of water) along with a
cup of cornmeal. Like many bivalves, softshell clams are sensitive to bacterial
pollution and outbreaks of “red tide.” To safeguard public health, the
harvest areas are closely monitored and closed when necessary.
Product Profile:
The softshell clam’s delicate meat is sweet and slightly salty. The large bellies are tender and soft. Meat color ranges from ivory to gold, with some dark areas.
The shell should be whole and clean, and the siphon firm and plump, not flaccid and dry. The siphon is covered with a dark membrane that is removed before the cooked clam is eaten.
You Should Know:
Softshell clams that have wide-gaping shells and siphons that hang limply rather than withdrawing upon touch are dead and should be discarded.
Cooking Tips:
Softshells are not eaten raw. They are the clam of choice for steaming in the shell or frying in either crumbs or batter. To steam, place softshells in a large kettle with about 1 inch of water. Cover and bring the water to a boil; the clams will steam open in about 5 minutes. Cook just until the shells open; overcooking makes clams tough. Clams must never be kept in fresh water — it will kill them. Keep covered in the refrigerator.
Cooking Methods: Fry,Steam
Substitutions: Hardshell clams, Surf clam strips
Primary Product Forms:
Fresh: Whole (steamed), Meats (whole)
Frozen: Raw meats, Steamed meats
Value-Added: Breaded, fried
Global Supply:
