Maine steamer clams are a classic summertime favorite for gatherings with family and cookouts, whether you’re in the east at a cottage or “uptah” camp. For such gatherings, understanding how to clean steamers is crucial, and it only requires a few straightforward steps. Steamers cost less than other types of seafood and are not too difficult to prepare. One of Maine’s most delicious seafood dishes can be enjoyed by you, your family, and friends in no time.
The Food and Drug Administration advises steaming clams and mussels in their shells for at least four to nine minutes after the water reaches a full boil in order to ensure proper food safety. Any clams or mussels that do not open while cooking should be thrown away. Remove siphon and enjoy.
We can assist if you’re looking for a quick and enjoyable method to steam clams. Everyone seems to think that preparing seafood is challenging or that it’s somehow simple to mess up. After you get the hang of it, it’s much simpler than most people think. If you’re wondering how many clams to serve, we suggest about 1/2 pound per person for an appetizer or roughly 1 pound per person for the main course. In case you want to include clams in your dinner, here are some items we sell.
When is Maine steamer clam season?
The abundance of shellfish in the waters of Maine is a blessing, with the soft-shell clam being one of the more well-known varieties. May through October are when steamers are at their most abundant, so many people associate the season with that time of year. However, there is no ‘season’—the harvest is year-round.
What is a Maine steamer clam?
Maine has an abundance of the clams we refer to as “steamers,” which are harvested along the coast from Wells to Lubec. A Maine steamer is classified as a soft-shell clam. The clam flats, which are the mud, gravel, and sand areas within the intertidal region of the coast and are covered at high tide and uncovered at low tide, where you can find the clam diggers out mucking, are where steamers, also known as longnecks, live and thrive.
In collaboration with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, towns manage clam flats. Soft-shell clams play a significant role in the economy of coastal communities in Maine. To put in perspective, Maine produces approximately 60% of the country%E2%80%99s soft-shell clams, with landings worth over $18 2 million in 2019. After lobster fishing, it typically ranks second in terms of value as a marine resource and employs the second-highest number of fishermen.