What do l mean by Clams as seafood? one of the most popular seafood choices is clams.
Clams are delicious seafood that also offers numerous health benefits. However, some people find it challenging to prepare and cook clams.
They do not know how clams are selected. Clams are often overlooked for more popular options like salmon and shrimp.
But do you know that clams are a nutritional powerhouse with various health benefits? See clams seafood benefits.
I will explain what clams represent before I dive into why you should add clams to your diet.
Is Clam A Seafood?
Clams are all seafood staples but are burrowing marine molluscs. They are essentially an invertebrate species that consist of a soft and segmented body with a shell around them. On the surface, clams may not look that impressive, but they are genuinely one of the most magnificent creatures of the sea. Clams have naturally evolved to develop a hard shell to protect their relatively soft and tender insides. While they share some anatomical features with other marine life, they function using exciting and unique mechanics! The clam is a bivalve mollusc that lives in salty waters. Bivalves are those molluscs whose body is protected by two symmetrical shells, like the mussel, the oyster, and the wave razor. They withstand temperatures from 5 to 35ºC, low seas and changes in salinity.
What Are The Surprising Benefits Of Eating Clams As Seafood You Never Knew?
Before we dive into the details of preparing and cooking clams, let’s look at the surprising benefits of eating clams as seafood.
They are an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. They are rich in iron, which is essential for healthy blood circulation.
Clams are also low in fat and calories, making them a great addition to a balanced diet.
They are an excellent source of protein. A three-ounce serving of clams contains about 14 grams of protein.
It makes clams as seafood a superb option for people looking to build and maintain muscle mass.
Clams are also rich in vitamins and minerals like seafood and are a great source of vitamin B12.
These vitamins are essential for brain function and the production of red blood cells.
Clams are rich in iron as it maintains healthy blood cells and prevents anaemia.
More so, clams possess high omega-3 fatty acids, which have many health benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved brain function, and a lower risk of heart disease.
Clams are a potent source of antioxidants that help to protect the body against oxidative stress and inflammation.
It takes care of chronic diseases that make clams seafood with healing properties.
Some studies revealed that clams have higher antioxidant activity than other commonly consumed fruits and vegetables, including blueberries and kale.
Taste-wise, clams have a delicious, brine flavour that pairs well with oysters and mussels’ sauce.
There are countless ways to enjoy this versatile seafood, like classic clam chowder and spicy clam pasta.
Overfishing and habitat destruction have certainly reduced wild-caught clams.
Clam farming practices have helped ensure the long-term health of clam populations and the surrounding ecosystem.
Clams are a nutritional powerhouse often overlooked in favour of more popular seafood choices. See seafood like clams.
With their high protein content and their surprising array of vitamins and minerals, they have given reasons to add clams to your diet.
Clams’ farming practices have given much room to enjoy this delicious and nutritious seafood.
So the next time you’re at the seafood counter, try clams and discover their surprising health benefits.
What Are Properties Of Clams as Seafood?
Clams, with high protein content, are among the lowest-calorie seafood. The properties of clams as seafood help to combat overweight.
They are also indicated to treat anaemia, as they are rich in iron.
Clams, as seafood, also contain other beneficial minerals such as phosphorus or calcium, which strengthen bones and teeth, or zinc.
They help the immune system. Clams fight ‘bad’ cholesterol since they provide Omega 3 fatty acids.
As seafood, they also help activate memory due to their high content of vitamin B12. The B12 deficiency erodes memory in older people.
Hence, Clams as seafood are recommended for older people, especially for people over 60 and Alzheimer’s patients.
Even students who need to optimize their brain’s capacity ‘hard drive’ to face their exams are recommended to eat clams as seafood.
In addition, clams are famous for their effects as a natural aphrodisiac.
Its consumption increases the livid counteracting problems such as sexual inappetence.
What Are The Curiosities About Clams As Seafood?
The curiosities about clams as seafood are;
- Clams move with the push provided by their shells’ forceful opening and closing.
- Clams lack brains, eyes, and ears, but they have a heart and a mouth, though they have no sense of taste.
- There are more than 500 varieties of clams. Among the most curious is a giant clam that can weigh more than 200 kilos and can live for two centuries.
- In 2006, the ‘methuselah’ clam was found off the coast of Iceland and, incidentally, the oldest known animal in the wild.
The age of this clam exceeded 500 years, as calculated by the number of rings ‘chiselled’ in its shell.
Unfortunately, the old clam, which they baptized as Ming, was born when the dynasty with the same name reigned in China.
The clam perished while they were counting their springs, giving rise to another mystery.
- The Geoduck (name derived from “dig deep”) has excellent weight and longevity.
A burrowing clam that can reach more than 140 years and weigh more than 7 kilos.
Its shell can measure more than 20 centimetres, and its siphon – the soft tubular structure of its anatomy – reaches a meter in length.
Precisely because of its size, it is known as an ‘elephant trunk’.
How Do You Select Clams As Seafood?
Select the best clams as seafood dishes by applying the proper knowledge and guidance.
I highlighted some key factors in selecting the freshest and tastiest clams;
Clams Appearance
The appearance of the clams signifies if it is healthy or not. You first examine their appearance.
Identify clams that are closed tightly, with no cracks or chips in their shells.
Avoid clams with broken or damaged shells to avoid bacteria or contamination.
Size And Weight Of The Clams
Consider the size and weight of the clams, which is an indicator of their freshness.
The heaviness of the clam’s size determines the fullness of the meat.
It’s best to choose smaller clams if you want a tender texture, but giant clams have tougher meat.
Clam’s Peak Season
Clams are best enjoyed during their peak season.
Their peak seasons vary depending on the species and location.
Soft-shell clams are typically harvested from late spring to early fall, while hard-shell clams are available year-round.
Clams Harvesting Techniques
The method clams are harvested for their quality and taste.
The hand-harvested clams are of higher quality to avoid damage during harvesting.
Clams labelled hand-harvested, or wild-caught are of higher quality than farmed ones.
Clam’s Smell
The smell of the clams is another factor to be considered when selecting clams as seafood.
Ensure that the fresh clams smell clean and salty like the ocean. A strong, fishy odour or any other unpleasant smell can signify spoilage.
Storage And Transportation Of Clams
Ensure you select clams stored in a cool, dry place and transported in a temperature-controlled environment.
Avoid purchasing clams sitting in standing water or exposed to direct sunlight, as this can affect their quality.
How Can You Prepare Clams As Seafood?
You can prepare clams as seafood by first selecting fresh clams. Step one is to rinse them with cold water.
It will help to remove any dirt or sand attached to the clams. Soak the clams in cold salted water for 30 minutes to remove grit.
Try and rinse them again with cold water. Here are some common ways to prepare clams:
Fried Clams:
Fried clams are a classic New England dish this seafood. Coat shucked clams in a mixture of flour, cornmeal, and spices.
After deep fry the clams until they turn golden brown. Serve it with tartar sauce and lemon wedges; very delicious.
Clams Casino:
This common appetizer involves topping baked clams with breadcrumbs, bacon, and Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the oven until the topping is golden brown. Allow the clams to cook through.
Clam Linguine:
Clam linguine is a simple pasta dish made with clams, garlic, olive oil, and white wine. Cook the linguine in a pot of boiling salted water.
Sauté the garlic in olive oil. Add the clams and white wine to the pan and simmer them until they open up.
Toss the linguine with the clam sauce. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Steamed Clams:
Place the clams in a pot with a small amount of water, cover the pot, and steam until the clams open up.
The steaming will take about 5-10 minutes. The clams can be served with melted butter and a chopped parsley or mint leaf sprinkle.
Clam Chowder:
Clam chowder is a hearty soup made with clams, potatoes, onions, and cream.
It can be prepared in different ways. First, cook the vegetables in a pot and add the clams and their juice. Then, stir in cream to create a rich, creamy broth.
What Are The Seafood Like Clams Recipes?
Here are a few seafood recipe ideas to get you started:
Clams With Linguine Recipes –
Read and cook linguine as instructed on the package. Add sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil in a pan and set aside.
Put the fresh clams and white wine in a separate pan. Cover and cook until the clams open.
Toss with linguine, parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese until it is ready to serve.
Clam Bake Recipes –
Layer fresh clams, potatoes, corn, and other vegetables in a large pot and add white wine and chicken broth.
Cover and cook until the clams have opened and the vegetables are tender to serve.
Clam Chowder Recipes-
Sauté onions and celery in butter until softened is a typical clams delicacy.
Put potatoes and chicken broth, and simmer until the potatoes are tender. Add chopped clams, cream, and seasonings to it.
Cook until heated through and serve hot.
Conclusion
I explained in this article that clams as seafood are delicious and offer numerous health benefits.
In conclusion, selecting the best clams for your seafood dishes is all about using your senses and knowing what to look out for.
When selecting your clams, remember to consider the appearance, smell, size, seasonality, harvesting method, storage, and transportation.
Follow these tips to ensure the freshest and most delicious clams for your next seafood meal.
Share this article for others to know the in-depth of clams as seafood. See clams seafood benefits.
Whether steaming, grilling, frying, baking, or sautéing, there are many ways to prepare and cook clams.
Remember to select fresh clams, rinse and soak them before cooking, and serve them hot with butter or lemon.
You can select the best clams to eat with these tips and recipe ideas.