3 Best Delicious Clam Neck Recipes

5/5 - (1 vote)

Clam necks, also known as littleneck clams, are a type of clam that is famous for its tender and flavorful meat. They are called littleneck clams because of the small size of their neck or siphon, which is the part that extends from the shell. Littleneck clams are popular in various seafood dishes due to their delicate taste and versatility in cooking.

You can cook clam necks deliciously at home. They are perfect for steaming, grilling, or incorporating into pasta dishes and chowders. Just make sure to follow proper cooking techniques and use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Here I am going to tell you 3 best and easiest recipe for making delicious clam neck at home.

1- Steamed littleneck clams

Ingredients

2 pounds littleneck clams
1 cup water or broth (such as white wine or clam juice)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

Start by cleaning the clams. Scrub the shells under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Discard any clams with cracked or open shells.
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the water or broth (such as white wine or clam juice) and bring it to a simmer.
Add the cleaned clams to the pot and cover it with a lid. Steam the clams for about 5-7 minutes, or until the shells have opened. Discard any clams that haven’t opened after cooking.
Once the clams neck are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish. Pour the remaining liquid from the pot over the clams neck.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added flavor and presentation.
Serve the steamed littleneck clams immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the clams.

This recipe should serve about 2-3 people, depending on their appetites. Enjoy your delicious steamed littleneck clams!

Pro tips for steamed little neck clams

Before steaming, make sure to rinse the littleneck clams thoroughly to remove any sand or grit.
Use a flavorful liquid like white wine, garlic, and herbs in the steaming liquid to infuse the clams with delicious flavors.
Be careful not to overcook the clams. They only need a few minutes to open up and become tender. Enjoy your steamed littleneck clams!

2- Clam neck chowder

Ingredients:

2 pounds littleneck clams
4 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish

Instructions:

Start by cleaning the clams. Scrub the shells under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Discard any clams with cracked or open shells.
In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pot.
In the same pot with the bacon grease, add the diced onion, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
Add the diced potatoes and chicken or vegetable broth to the pot. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the potatoes are cooked through.
While the potatoes are cooking, remove the clams from their shells. Reserve a few clams in their shells for garnish, if desired. Chop the remaining clams into bite-sized pieces.
Once the potatoes are cooked, add the chopped clams, whole milk, and heavy cream to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer the chowder for a few more minutes until the clams are heated through. Be careful not to overcook the clams.
Serve the clam neck chowder hot, garnished with the reserved chopped bacon and fresh parsley.

This recipe should serve about 3-5 people, depending on serving sizes. Enjoy your delicious clam neck chowder!.

Pro tips for clam neck chowder:

Use a combination of fresh clams and clam necks to give your chowder a variety of textures and flavors.
To enhance the creaminess of the chowder, add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half towards the end of cooking.
For added depth of flavor, sauté onions, celery, and garlic before adding the clam necks and broth. Enjoy your delicious clam neck chowder!

3- Clam neck pasta

Ingredients:

2 pounds littleneck clams
8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

Start by cleaning the clams. Scrub the shells under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Discard any clams with cracked or open shells.
Cook the linguine or spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté until fragrant.
Add the cleaned clams to the pan and pour in the white wine. Cover the pan and let the clams steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until they open. Discard any clams that do not open.
Remove the clams from the pan and set them aside. Keep the pan with the clam juices and add the halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes soften.
Season the tomato sauce with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add more red pepper flakes if you prefer it spicier.
Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the tomato sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly.
Serve the clam neck pasta hot, topped with the steamed clams and garnished with fresh parsley.

This recipe should serve about 2-4 people, depending on serving sizes. Enjoy your delicious clam neck pasta!

Pro tips for Clam neck pasta recipe:

For a burst of flavor, sauté the clam necks in garlic-infused olive oil before adding them to the pasta.
Enhance the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a bright and refreshing taste.
Don’t overcook the clam necks to maintain their tenderness. Add them to the pasta just before serving for the best texture. Enjoy!

If you are on thr hunt for the ultimate guide to cooking clams to perfection, look no further! We have got you covered with our mouthwatering clam backed recipie and our tantalizing canned clam recipie. Get ready to dive into world of flavors and elevate your seafood game like never before!