Mollusk belonging to the same family as mussels, oysters, or clams that live buried in sand or mud on the shores of rivers and seas and feed on living organisms. Clams do not have a brain or eyes, but they do have a heart, mouth, and rectum.
Their shell is thin and convex in the center. It has thin ridges. Its color is usually light gray with brown spots. The shell serves as a protective and defensive element against potential predators. We have several types of clams; Manila clam, Japanese clam, slippy clam, and blonde or red clam.
Properties and benefits
They have very few calories and provide proteins and B-group vitamins, among the most prominent minerals; iron, potassium, calcium, selenium, and zinc. Thanks to the iron, they are an infallible food to combat anemia. Clams are good for our bones thanks to the calcium. Their consumption strengthens our immune system thanks to zinc. They help keep our bones, teeth, and heart strong. Like most shellfish, they are ideal for eliminating cholesterol from our blood.
Nutritional value per 100g
Calories: 48 kcal.
Proteins: 10.7 g.
Fats: 1.61 g.
Carbohydrates: 0 g.
Cholesterol: 40 mg.
Iron: 14 mg.
Iodine: 160 mg.
Potassium: 314 mg.
Storage and tips
It is best to consume them once purchased, but if you want them to last at least three days in the refrigerator, you can moisten them with a cloth and seal it well. Place them on a plate in the least cold area of the fridge. Before cooking them to remove the sand, they must be soaked in a bowl of saltwater for 2 hours. Clams that are open or broken should be discarded.
Recipes and uses in the kitchen
The most common way to cook them is steamed, simply with a squeeze of lemon, but the most well-known dish made with these mollusks is "a la marinera." After letting the clams rest for 2 hours in saltwater, chop an onion, 2 cloves of garlic, and sauté in a skillet. After a few minutes, add a tablespoon of flour and keep stirring. Then add 1 glass of white wine, increase the heat so that the alcohol evaporates. Add the clams and cook until they open.
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