Razor clams are as tasty as they are environmentally friendly. If you’ve landed on this article, you’re probably looking for tips on how to clean and cook these delicious shellfish, well: you’re in the right place! But before we dive into the cleaning process, let’s get to know them a bit better by exploring their varieties, nutritional value and the important role they play in the environment.
What are razor clams?
Also known as “cappalunga”, the razor clam is a bivalve mollusk that lives at considerable depth, favoring sandy and muddy sea bottoms.
Its shell is very delicate, with a color that ranges from brown to yellow (depending on the species), and is usually about 17 cm long.
Salty and meaty, razor clams come in many varieties. Let’s take a look at the main ones.
Varieties and nutritional values of razor clams
There are several types of razor clams, distinguishable by their color and meat quality:
All of these types are low in calories (just 90 calories per 100 grams), mostly from protein, followed by small amounts of fat.
Razor clams are an excellent source of sodium and iodine, as well as iron, making them especially beneficial for maintaining healthy nutritional levels.
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: how can you be sure you’ve cleaned and purged your razor clams properly? Just follow our step-by-step guide.
Purging razor clams
Just like with any other shellfish, razor clams need to be purged to eliminate all the sand and particles they’ve filtered and stored inside their shells. Let’s not forget that mollusks naturally act as filters, helping purify seawater.
That’s why, once purchased and ready for your kitchen, it’s essential to clean them thoroughly to avoid any risk of food poisoning.
The proper method for purging them involves soaking the clams in salted water while standing them upright with the siphon facing upward. Leave them this way for at least one hour: that’s the time needed for the sand to be expelled.
Once the sand has come out, we recommend repeating the process by changing the water and rinsing the container. With this double purge, you can be sure your razor clams are thoroughly cleaned.
Cleaning razor clams
Now it’s time to clean your razor clams: the intestinal sac needs to be removed.
Here’s the correct procedure:
- Open the clam;
- Move the foot aside;
- Gently remove the black sac;
- Rinse under running water to remove any leftover sand
Great job: your razor clams are now ready to be cooked with your favorite recipe!
Gratinated, cooked, grilled: razor clams are delicious any way you prepare them. Today, to spark your creativity and bring out the very best in these shellfish, we’d like to suggest a special recipe: linguine with razor clams and broccoli cream. Created by chef Michele Sammarco from the restaurant Cieddi, this dish enhances the flavor of these beloved mollusks in a truly sublime way: give it a try and see for yourself!
