Just Went Clamming

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


Went digging for mussels...ended up with muscles...!!

[Mary Beth]

I do not like eating clams, but I do enjoy clam chowder. I bet digging for the clams, is like a treasure hunt! Why can you only dig for 20 of the clams? Is that 20 per person in your group, or 20 in all?

[ppine]

I used to live on Camano Island, WA back in the 70s. There was a giant bay near the house that was exposed at low tide and provided lots of clams. Making chowder is no big trick. We are all familiar with the NE style with a milk base and lots of potatoes and root vegetables. The Manhattan style with a tomato base and some spices is really good. This discussion is making me hungry. Clams provide a lot of flavor and can be used in many dishes. Chop them up fine for people that aren't too sure about bivalves.

[Marshmallow]

I've never gone clam digging either, but it's been on my list since I was a teenager reading about it. No one in my family does this. What areas of the country are best for digging clams?

[ppine]

I like the cold water clams. You need either a very flat shoreline, and/or a lot of tidal range to expose large "flats" at low tide. Ask around for the best places. Bivalves are exacting in their habitat preferences.