#cataplana

von Daniel Schoch Während meiner Zeit in Portugal zog es mich immer wieder an einen wunderschönen Platz an der Westküste der Algarve, um mich dort ganz und gar einer meiner liebsten Beschäftigungen zu widmen: dem Angeln. Bildquelle: Daniel Schoch Es gab dort viele schöne Plätze, aber mein Stammplatz war schon außergewöhnlich, selbst für portugiesische Verhältnisse. Man konnte ein Stück durch…

You have the whole of the Algarve to be soaking up rays in… so why bother taking the other direction out of the airport into the city? For a start…the rays are here as well! No, not just on the other side of the track… It’s got a genuine Old Town… not just something that’s about 30 years old, which the sun worshippers already consider to be uncool and out of date… There’s a restaurant with a…

French Fried Clam Day

Clams served on Quinnipeague were dug from the from the flats hours before cooking, and the batter, which was exquisitely light, held bits of parsley and thyme. Other fried clams couldn’t compare. - Barbara Delinsky, Sweet Salt Air

While many people’s first thoughts about clams drift to rich, creamy clam chowder, or having them served on the half-shell, there is a myriad of other ways to prepare clams. While crab cakes are certainly popular, perhaps the best way to consume this little shellfish is battered and fried in oil, where it comes out with a slightly chewy texture and a deliciously seasoned crispy crust. French Fried Clam Day is your opportunity to indulge in this oceanic treat as much as your heart desires, or can stand.

History of French Fried Clam Day

French Fried Clam Day was created to honor that most common of fried clam creations, the clam strip. First invented in the town of Ipswich by one Thomas Soffron, this Massachusetts born son would come to spread the joy and love of his clam strips throughout the nation, and the world. The perfect meeting of fish fries and shellfish, the clam strip is a great way to enjoy this, and outside of clam chowder is one of the only ways some people enjoy clams!

The thing that separates one fried clam recipe from the other is the breading, the secret lay in exactly what combination of herbs and spices are used to create that crunchy, flaky crust that comes out of the fryer golden brown. It’s fair to note that the other element is, of course, the quality of the clams. If you’ve never had fried clams, we suggest stopping by your nearest restaurant to indulge in the flavors they put forth.

How to Celebrate French Fried Clam Day

Celebrating French Fried Clam Day is nothing short of a deep fried seafood delight. Everywhere that has a reputation for seafood has a version of this available on their menu, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Once you’ve sampled a few of their particular flavor choices, you can go home and try to work up a recipe of your own! When dining out, we recommend sampling options from your average Long John Silver’s to the fanciest restaurants. Each of them will have a flavor all their own and a mix of ingredients that make the clam strips pop.

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National Deep Fried Clams Day 

Deep fried clams are celebrated and eaten on this day. There are more than two thousand species of clams, and most fall into the category of either hard-shelled or soft-shelled. Soft-shelled clams, also known as "clam bellies" or "steamers", are the type that are usually deep fried. Deep fried clams usually are dipped in milk and flour before being fried. They are extremely popular on the East Coast of the United States, particularly around New England, where they are about the equivalent as to what barbecue is to the South, and are served in seaside clam shacks, which are roadside restaurants. They are often served with tartar sauce, and are known as clam rolls when they are served in hot dog buns. "Clam Strips", made of Atlantic surf clams, are popular outside of the New England area. Fried clams first appeared in the mid-19th century, and the kind we think of today are said to have been created by Lawrence Henry "Chubby" Woodman at his roadside stand in Essex, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1916. He was known for deep frying potatoes into chips, and used his equipment to deep fry some clams he caught in the Essex River. Clam strips became popular after being created by Thomas Soffron of Ipswich, Massachusetts, who sold them to Howard Johnson's, which brought them all around the country.

How to Observe National Deep Fried Clams Day

Celebrate the day by making deep fried clams. Maybe you are even close enough to one of the best seafood shacks in the country to get some there.