Seafood | Paleo Keto Low Calorie

Cherrystone Clams

Mercenaria mercenaria Allergens: Shellfish
Cherrystone Clams

Sourcing & Taxonomy

  • Family Veneridae
  • Primary Cuisine American|Italian|French|East Asian
  • Seasonality Year-Round (peak Spring/Summer)
  • Source Clams

The Forktionary Angle

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Definition

A medium-sized hard-shell clam, known for its sweet, briny flavor and tender-chewy texture, typically eaten steamed, baked, or in chowders.

Sensory Profile

TasteSweet, Briny, Salty, Umami, Ocean-like
TextureTender, Chewy, Juicy
AromaOcean-like, Briny, Fresh
AcidityLow

Technical Metrics

Nutrition Facts

Per 100g (3-4 clams)
Calories74 kcal
Total Fat0.9 g
Saturated Fat0.2 g
Trans Fat0 g
Cholesterol38 mg
Protein12.8 g
Total Carbohydrate3.8 g
Dietary Fiber0 g
Total Sugars0 g
Calcium50 mg
Iron14 mg
Potassium280 mg

Chef’s Secret

Purge clams in salted water with a spoonful of cornmeal for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking to help them expel sand.

Substitutions

Best Match

Littleneck Clams

1:1

Smaller hard-shell clams, very similar flavor and texture, ideal for steaming.

Manila Clams

1:1

Smaller, tender, and sweet, widely available and cooks quickly.

Mussels

1:1

Different flavor profile but similar preparation, good in pasta or steamed dishes.

Oysters

1:1

More distinct taste, but can provide a similar briny, ocean essence in certain dishes.

Buying Guide

Look for closed, undamaged shells. Discard any that are open and don't close when tapped.

Flavor Pairings

White wine garlic butter parsley bacon tomatoes pasta lemon.