My father would mix up a gallon of cold mildly salty water and cornmeal and let the clams sit for about an hour. Then rinse the clams then into the boil. The clam bellies will have ingested the corn meal and purged some of the muck. Boston, MA.
@@brianhealey5286 That was the trick back in the day, but it was softshell or steamer clams. Not little necks. Not that it wouldn't work, but little necks are already way cleaner than softshell clams. At least that is what I've found. If you are fortunate enough to dig your own, just bring a drywall bucket of seawater back from the flats and let them sit overnight. Clean as a whistle after that.
@@brianhealey5286 after much thought I decided all fish market I visit hold their clams in tanks, so there is no need to do this at home. Also I clam every week from Apr to Nov while getting the clams they sit in a floating basket, clamming take about 2 hrs. Odds are pretty good that while in the basket it gets done. who knew. The idea that hey our clams are so fresh you need to do this is nonsense.
Little gabby
Small cracks at the edge don't mean they are dead. Large cracks or fissures...yes.
nah he's right. i have a small crack in my heart and i feel dead inside everday😭😭
His explanation is incorrect. Clams siphon in the seawater...they do NOT open and shut on "clamshells" full of sea water.
been eating clams for decades never heard of anyone doing this.
My father would mix up a gallon of cold mildly salty water and cornmeal and let the clams sit for about an hour. Then rinse the clams then into the boil. The clam bellies will have ingested the corn meal and purged some of the muck. Boston, MA.
@@brianhealey5286 That was the trick back in the day, but it was softshell or steamer clams. Not little necks. Not that it wouldn't work, but little necks are already way cleaner than softshell clams. At least that is what I've found. If you are fortunate enough to dig your own, just bring a drywall bucket of seawater back from the flats and let them sit overnight. Clean as a whistle after that.
@@brianhealey5286 after much thought I decided all fish market I visit hold their clams in tanks, so there is no need to do this at home. Also I clam every week from Apr to Nov while getting the clams they sit in a floating basket, clamming take about 2 hrs. Odds are pretty good that while in the basket it gets done. who knew. The idea that hey our clams are so fresh you need to do this is nonsense.
Well, if you don't mind eating sand..... you do you. I'm "burping"
We always purged "dug" clams to remove the sand.
😅😅