I guess I've always made chowder like my Vavo and cut up quahogs with kitchen shears. The image of all those dismembered clam necks is disturbing. Did you have reoccurring nightmares??
I am making it this weekend! My sister is over night shipping the soft shell clams to me. I am also making clam fritters to go with it. Ala Legal Seafood!
I’ve always wondered how men feel when fiddling with those steamers and those evocative siphons. You poor thing having to remove them for this recipe! I don’t even have that appendage and squirmed in my seat thinking of following that order. Well you did it once and made the good decision to never again. After all when it comes to clams, chewy is good right?
I grew up eating steamed steamer clams. And we would grab the siphon, dunk it in clarified butter, and down it went. But taking a knife to it just felt freaking weird!
What a great article! I had no idea that there were places where one could be specific about belly size. As for chewy—that doesn’t bother me. Grit, however, is a totally different thing. I didn’t know sand vs. mudflat origin could make that difference.
I don't think women really appreciate the attachment and horror of de-attachment that men have for their relevant parts. That's a shame. We probably need more empathy towards them.
Fun post, however. As are all you memories of your past life.
Funny! And I think men have plenty of bro-empathy. Whenever I watch fail videos on social media that involve soft man parts meeting an immovable object. Hoo-boy! There have been studies done on what's called "mirror neurons" that show just watching another man get hit in the crotch causes an involuntary response that can include pain, nausea, and cold sweats.
I know about the mirror neurons but the examples in the textbook were not quite so vivid. Maybe the textbook needs an update to make mirror neurons more memorable.
I never thought of the siphons that way. My great grandmother from Maine would take the "socks" of her steamers when she made clam chowder. On serving the chowder, she would put a good dollop of butter in each bowl before ladling in the chowder. This would be topped by a sprinkling of crispy bits of bacon or salt pork cracklings.
Hilarious! I've shared it on eGullet.
I guess I've always made chowder like my Vavo and cut up quahogs with kitchen shears. The image of all those dismembered clam necks is disturbing. Did you have reoccurring nightmares??
So funny, and thanks for the morning humor.
Of course!!!
Hysterical, David. You had me squirming in my chair reading this - and I’m a woman! You have a unique way of looking at the world. We all benefit.
Thank you so much, Barbara!
LOVE this post! But! Love Clam Chowdah bettah!
Christine, definitely make it. It’s worth it.
I am making it this weekend! My sister is over night shipping the soft shell clams to me. I am also making clam fritters to go with it. Ala Legal Seafood!
Now I'm totally envious!
Your funniest yet! I will blast it around on Notes.
Thank you! It'll be a mitzvah for you!
Hah. I'm making you an honorary Member of the Tribe.
I'm the biggest wannabe I know, which is entirely different than a Maccabee.
Bahahaha. Love this article
Thank you!
I’ve always wondered how men feel when fiddling with those steamers and those evocative siphons. You poor thing having to remove them for this recipe! I don’t even have that appendage and squirmed in my seat thinking of following that order. Well you did it once and made the good decision to never again. After all when it comes to clams, chewy is good right?
I grew up eating steamed steamer clams. And we would grab the siphon, dunk it in clarified butter, and down it went. But taking a knife to it just felt freaking weird!
My guess is whoever developed this recipe wasn’t from around here. Why lop off that edible tidbit🫤?
Some chefs snip-snip because they think it makes the clam less chewy. I did a big piece for the NY Times on fried clams, and the Sea Swirl snips the necks, too. https://leitesculinaria.com/9790/blog-in-a-64-t-bird-chasing-a-date-with-a-fried-clam.html
What a great article! I had no idea that there were places where one could be specific about belly size. As for chewy—that doesn’t bother me. Grit, however, is a totally different thing. I didn’t know sand vs. mudflat origin could make that difference.
Absolutely! Whenever I make fried clams at home, I always order fried clams from the Essex area in Massachusetts. There’s so much tastier and no grit!
I don't think women really appreciate the attachment and horror of de-attachment that men have for their relevant parts. That's a shame. We probably need more empathy towards them.
Fun post, however. As are all you memories of your past life.
Funny! And I think men have plenty of bro-empathy. Whenever I watch fail videos on social media that involve soft man parts meeting an immovable object. Hoo-boy! There have been studies done on what's called "mirror neurons" that show just watching another man get hit in the crotch causes an involuntary response that can include pain, nausea, and cold sweats.
I know about the mirror neurons but the examples in the textbook were not quite so vivid. Maybe the textbook needs an update to make mirror neurons more memorable.
I love reading your posts!
Thanks, Deborah!
hysterically laughing emoji
Thanks!
I never thought of the siphons that way. My great grandmother from Maine would take the "socks" of her steamers when she made clam chowder. On serving the chowder, she would put a good dollop of butter in each bowl before ladling in the chowder. This would be topped by a sprinkling of crispy bits of bacon or salt pork cracklings.
Sounds delicious, Kristi!