Don’t Forget to Bring Home Periwinkles and Slipper-shell Snails

When you set out to dig for your own clams, mussels or oysters, chances are you will come across lots of periwinkles and slipper-shell snails (also called half-shells). Don’t forget to gather a couple of handfuls of each.

I set out to go clamming for quahog clams. However, I always bring home so much more! After two to three hours, I have dinner. What’s for dinner? –clams, mussels, a few oysters, periwinkles, slipper shell snails and even sea lettuce. It’s a cornucopia of seafood. Both the periwinkles and half-shells make for a great appetizer.

In this link, is a pair of periwinkles (also commonly called tops shells). They come in a variety of colors and not all have a bumpy texture. All are edible. The ones I typically find in my area have a smooth shell and look either black or gray from a distance. Upon closer inspection, most have an intricate pattern. You’ve seen them. They are usually everywhere once you start to spot them.

Slipper-shell snails are typically everywhere too, especially near colder waters. Often on many beaches, there are piles and piles of empty shells along the high-tide lines on the beach.

The photo linked to is a picture of the shells. Yes, you’ve seen them.

Here is a photo of slipper-shell snails that are clumped together. When I find a clump, I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot. You can easily pry them apart using a press control the go to lead rock you find on the beach. I usually wait to pry them from each other at home. Also, I only collect those that are 1 ½” long or longer. You will come across loads of babies. You can see one in the photo. Leave that little guy behind.

For me the best part of two readily available and easy to find delicacies is that if I am having a hard day of finding the bivalves, I can still come home with a successful haul.

Remember to bring home only what you will use, and collect both from clean smelling, flowing water. As with other shellfishing, simply follow the tide out.

image credits – Slipper-shell snail photos used with permission via creative commons –periwinkle photo by Caleb Slemmons