With the arrival of the warm season, everyone is eager to enjoy that much-loved taste of the sea that instantly brings to mind summer holidays.
It’s no coincidence that clams are among the most popular shellfish in Italian cuisine, and those from Italian seas have a truly distinctive flavor. Found in countless dishes, these shellfish are highly requested and perfect as a topping for a delicious plate of linguine or served on their own, as in a classic sauté.
Like all shellfish, clams require special care when it comes to storage, that’s why we’re taking a closer look at the different methods used to preserve these delicacies that make their way to our tables at lunch and dinner every day.
There are several ways to store them, so we’ve gathered the most useful and effective tips to help resolve any doubts seafood lovers may have. One thing’s sure, though, just as we said for mussels: the fresher you eat them, the better you’ll enjoy their unique flavor!
How to store fresh clams in the refrigerator
The first thing to do is carefully check for any open clams, these should be discarded, as they may be dead and could spoil the taste of your dish or even pose a health risk due to bacteria.
The most important rule is to keep clams alive: clams won’t open during cooking if they’re not fresh, so it’s essential to preserve their vitality.
There’s only one simple way to keep clams fresh: storing them in the fridge. Unlike other types of seafood, which should be placed in a glass container after purchase, clams should be kept in the bag they were sold in, or wrapped in a damp cloth to keep them tight and that’s because clams tend to open in search of water and, without it, they would die.
Once wrapped, place them in the coldest part of the fridge and make sure to consume them within a couple of days from purchase.
We’ve just seen how to store clams in the fridge and, most of all, how to keep them fresh for up to 48 hours, all you have to do is store them in the refrigerator and they’ll stay good for up to two days, as — like all shellfish — they retain water inside their shells, which helps them survive; the fridge temperature should be between 4°C and 6°C.
If, however, you want maximum freshness, it’s best to eat them within 24 hours, that way, you’ll avoid the risk of finding them dead.
How to store cooked clams in the refrigerator
Clams can also be stored after cooking, but the steps are different from those required for keeping them raw in the fridge.
The first step is to make sure they’re closed and, then, rinse them under cold water: from this point on, you can proceed with cooking. Meanwhile, heat a bit of olive oil and a clove of garlic in a pan, then add the clams and cook them over high heat.
Cover the pan with a lid so that the steam helps open the shells more quickly; at this point, deglaze with a splash of white wine, season with salt and pepper during the last two or three minutes and – once fully cooked – add some chopped parsley to taste.
Once cooled, simply remove the clams from their shells and place them in a glass jar along with their cooking liquid. Seal the jar tightly and store it in the fridge — for no more than a couple of days.
There’s only one reliable way to tell if clams are still good to eat: if they smell like the sea, they’re safe to enjoy.
How to store clams in the freezer
Of course, if you use the freezer, cooked clams can be stored for over two months.
The main difference compared to storing them in the fridge is that you can freeze these delicious shellfish with their shells on, without having to cook them first.
That said, our suggestion is to keep them cooked, as the flavorful cooking liquid will enhance their taste significantly.
How to store shellfish
The truth is simple: mollusks are a real treat and must be properly stored, but before buying them, it’s important to be sure of their origin and quality.
That’s why, in addition to offering tips on storage, cooking and all things related to good seafood, we want to emphasize how important it is to enjoy shellfish as soon as possible after purchase: freshness, quality and taste are 100% guaranteed.
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