I recently had the opportunity to stay with some friends at their house in Pacific City on the Oregon Coast. It was a perfect 4th of July weekend for many reasons, one in particular: we were introduced to clamming. Surprisingly, though I grew up in the Puget Sound, I have never been clamming. {And, to be exact, I really haven’t gone yet because I was on the sidelines with our newborn baby.} But my husband, and even our 2 1/2-year old son for a short stint, got to experience wading through the mud feeling for clams with his feet.
Though I didn’t get to partake in clamming this time, I know that there will be a next time. And fortunately, I did get to enjoy the clam spaghetti dinner that our friend Ben made that night. We enjoyed it so much that my husband went clamming again the next day so that we could bring clams home with us. The day we got back from the coast we made the clam pasta again. The butter clams are chewy but when chopped into small pieces and mixed with turkey sausage and vegetables, you don’t even notice them because there are so many other flavors and textures in the dish.
Of course, you can still make this pasta dish with store-bought clams but if you do have the opportunity to go clamming, you’ll probably enjoy your meal that much more. It is an inexpensive family activity which provides a great excuse for a beach walk.
PrintClam Pasta
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
This flavorful and colorful spaghetti dish is loaded with chopped butter clams, turkey sausage, and fresh vegetables, creating a delightful blend of textures and tastes.
Ingredients
- 3-4 slices bacon or turkey bacon
- 1-2 chicken or turkey kielbasa sausages
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 2-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups (473.2 mL) clam juice or white wine
- 1 pound (450 g) spaghetti
- 2 pounds (900 g) butter clams, cleaned and chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Soak the clams in salt water for at least 1 hour to remove the sand. Discard any clams that are open and won’t close when lightly tapped.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon or turkey bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove from the skillet and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
- Add the sausages to the skillet and cook until browned. Remove and set aside with the bacon.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and zucchini. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the clam juice or white wine, and bring to a simmer. Add the chopped clams and cook for 5-7 minutes until the clams are cooked through.
- Return the bacon and sausages to the skillet, and stir to combine all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce and ingredients.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
For a more authentic experience, try clamming yourself if you have access to a beach. Store-bought clams work well too. Ensure clams are thoroughly cleaned to avoid sand in your dish. This pasta is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking the clams.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 60
{You can find more information on safe practices for the handling and consumption of shellfish on the FDA website. Many state government sites also outline safety practices as well as provide information regarding specific local conditions that could affect the harvesting of shellfish in your area.}
I have never been clamming either, but does sound like fun even from the sidelines. Great looking pasta dish :)