The Distinguishing Factors

Clam Strip Clams and Other Clams

When frying clams, the trick is to get them fresh. Frozen clams work, but they don’t hold together nicely. But you can avoid this problem by getting clam strips.

These are clams made from hard-shelled sea clams’ foot. These clams are also called skimmer claims, clams, surf clams, and bar clams. Many people believe that clam strips are made by cutting the ‘yucky’ portions of soft shell clams.

Clam strips, on the other hand, are cut away from the ‘foot’ of larger hard-shelled clams. Softshell clams are usually two inches long, whereas skimmer clams can be up to nine inches in diameter. Whereas the former are found partially buried on sand bars, hard-shelled clams are mostly found from the shoreline.

Clam strips came to the fore back in the 1930s, and they were actually ‘invented’, not discovered. It was Thomas SoffronMonthly, an Ipswich entrepreneur, who introduced fried clam strip to seafood lovers by striking a deal with the famed Howard Johnson’s food chain.

The idea of the clam strip came from Soffron’s own eating preferences. He was very picky about what he ate, and whenever he had steamed clams, he was careful to leave out the neck and the belly and just munched on the strip.

A clam digger, Soffron discovered hard-shelled clams and soon began slicing the foot into strips and fried them. He loved the taste, and he pitched the idea to Howard Johnson who was then opening restaurants in New England. Johnson tasted the clams, and the deal was done. The “Tendersweet Fried Clams” became a nationwide sensation after the WWII.

With their amazing taste and interesting history, fried clam strips are a must-try for everyone who loves4 seafood.

Fatima M.
Freelance Blogger