Delighting the palate is always a perfect idea, which is why we want to reveal all the precious secrets hidden beneath the sea. Today we’ll talk about wedge clams, their flavor and how to store them properly.
These small shellfish have a bold and unique taste, and they hold great potential if you want to enhance your dishes. Ready to add a magical touch to your meals?
What are wedge clams?
Wedge clams are small mollusks with smooth, wedge-shaped shells that range in color from gray to brown. Also known as “arselle”, in Italy, they resemble small clams in appearance, but can be distinguished by their shape and shell texture.
Wedge clams have a slightly elongated oval shape and a smooth surface. These delicious shellfish grow in sandy seabeds, typically between 0 and 6 meters deep: sometimes in waters so shallow that they can be gathered by hand or with a small sieve.
In addition, wedge clams are packed with nutrients that are good for your body. They’re rich in phosphorus, potassium and vitamin A. That said, like all foods, they should be consumed in moderation.
How to purge wedge clams
Before explaining how to purge wedge clams, here’s a quick buying tip: make sure all the shells are closed, or that they close when lightly touched. If not, the clams may be dead.
Since these beloved mollusks live among sandy dunes and often open up (even to move or feed), they may retain grains of sand or other debris inside their shells. To avoid that this affects your dish’s flavor, you’ll need to clean them properly. Here’s how:
To purge wedge clams, soak them in a container of cold water and salt. Let them sit for a few hours and check if they’ve released any sand. If the water is still dirty, repeat the process until the water is completely clear.
Once they’re clean, we can move on to the best way to store them.
How and where to store wedge clams
We generally recommend eating wedge clams while they’re fresh, to enjoy their full flavor. But if you love them at the point that you want to have them always on hand, here are all the secrets you need to know.
If you want to store them in the fridge, you can wrap them in a damp cloth and keep them for a maximum of two days. Wedge clams are delicate shellfish, so they need to be consumed quickly.
Alternatively, to keep them for longer, wedge clams can be stored in the freezer for two to three months. However, before freezing, they must be cooked in a pan until the shells open. Once cooled, place them in a container in the freezer.
We recommend storing them with their cooking liquid to preserve their flavor when defrosted.
How to cook wedge clams
Wedge clams are fantastic in many recipes: they can add flavor to first and second courses, enhance seafood soups, or be enjoyed on their own, either raw or cooked.
We love them in every way, but we also have a few recipes to recommend that will impress your guests with their simplicity and taste.
Recipes from Ittica Buonocore
Searing our shellfish in a pan and waiting for the shells to open (just a few minutes at medium heat) is the best way to start a recipe, especially if you’re adding them to fresh gnocchetti or tagliolini all’uovo. Otherwise, a sauté is the perfect alternative, but let’s take a look at how to make it.
Wedge clams sauté
To make a wedge clams sauté, simply season the clams, already cooked in a pan, with a drizzle of olive oil, parsley, a garlic clove, and – for a special touch – some slices of toasted bread. Some people also add a light breadcrumb and herb topping.
For raw shellfish lovers, a few drops of lemon are all you need: enjoying them will be a true pleasure for the palate.
And if you’re in the mood for something more filling, we suggest our spaghetti with wedge clams… delicious!
Spaghetti with wedge clams
After searing the wedge clams in a pan, as we recommended earlier, you can add the spaghetti!
To enjoy a delicious dish of spaghetti with wedge clams, simply cook the pasta in a separate pot, then take it into the pan with the clams.
To give the dish an extra touch, before combining the spaghetti and wedge clams, you can quickly sauté a few cherry tomatoes in the same pan with the clams to create a flavorful sauce. We recommend adding a pinch of chili pepper for those who enjoy a bit of heat, it will truly enhance the flavor of the wedge clams.
We’re sure our tips on wedge clams will be helpful, but if you’d like more information, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here for you!
