Razor clams, delicious shellfish with a unique flavor, have always been part of Italy’s seas and tables!
These bivalve mollusks are also known in some areas as “cappalunga” or “sea candles”.
They have a brown shell with yellowish and grayish streaks on the outside, while the flesh inside is white and candle-like in appearance.
There are two main families: Solenidae and Pharidae, which are further divided into six species. To learn more: click here to discover everything about razor clams.
How to cook razor clams
As mentioned, razor clams are a common sight at the table and can be prepared in many different ways.
Rich in minerals and meaty in texture, they make for a low-calorie dish that provides iron, phosphorus, sodium and protein.
How can you cook them? Well, they can be enjoyed both raw and cooked.
Raw, they’re excellent with just a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of olive oil and some chopped parsley.
Alternatively, you can cook them to prepare soups, sauces, or seafood-based dishes, either on their own or with other ingredients.
How to store razor clams
There are several ways to store razor clams, and the first thing to decide is whether you want to store them alive or after they’ve been cooked.
To keep razor clams alive, you can use the refrigerator and also a saturated saltwater solution. If they’ve already been cooked, you can store them in the fridge or freezer.
Be careful though: be sure they’re alive and fresh before cooking. How can you tell if a razor clam is alive? Just touch the foot: if it pulls back like a snail’s antenna, it’s alive .
How to store razor clams in the fridge
Since razor clams are shellfish, they can be stored in the refrigerator as long as they are alive and fresh. So, first of all, it’s essential to check this key detail.
It’s also very important not to rinse them under running water. These mollusks can survive outside their natural marine environment for about 2–3 days thanks to their ability to retain the necessary nutrients inside their shells. However, exposing them to fresh running water can cause shock and lead to their death.
To store razor clams in the fridge, simply bundle them tightly together using rubber bands: this keeps the clams from slipping out of their shells. Then wrap them in a damp cotton cloth and place them in the least cold part of the fridge, usually the lower shelves, for 1–2 days. After the third day, it’s best to either freeze them or use an alternative method, such as storing them in a saturated salt solution.
If the razor clams have already been cooked, they can be stored in the refrigerator for 4–5 days.
How to store razor clams in a saturated salt solution
Another option to keep razor clams alive in the fridge and extend their shelf life is to store them in a jar with a saturated salt solution.
To do this, you’ll only need alive razor clams and jars. Prepare the saturated solution by boiling 1 liter of water with 350 grams of fine salt until the salt no longer dissolves: at that point, the water becomes saturated.
Once the solution is ready and has cooled down, pour it into the jars and add the razor clams. Seal the jars with a lid and place them in the refrigerator.
In both of the storage methods described above, once you remove the razor clams from the fridge, it’s important to check whether they’re still alive.
How to store razor clams in the freezer
To store razor clams for a longer period, you can use the freezer. Frozen razor clams will keep for up to 4 months.
How do you freeze razor clams?
Start by cleaning the shells and soaking the clams in salted water to purge any sand. This step takes about 3–4 hours. If needed, repeat the process, rinsing them several times until fully clean.
Then, place the clams into resealable plastic freezer bags and put them in the freezer.
Alternatively, you can freeze the clams after cooking them in a saucepan for about 6–7 minutes. Always make sure to follow the same cleaning steps we shared before.
If you’d like more information, feel free to contact us: we’ll be happy to answer all your questions!
