Find more tips on razor clamming here. To cook, bring an inch or two of salted water to a boil, add clams and wait for them to pop open, just about 20 to 30 seconds. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) reminds recreational and commercial clam diggers to follow the states harvesting regulations this year. To freeze, place the live clean clams in a plastic bag and remove the air. Razor clamming closed from Columbia River to CA border. Fast forward 30 years and I now do all my clamming on the west coast, in the Pacific Northwest to be exact. 10. If theyre large, you can gut them as well. On top of that, not one single type of clam widely available in the US lands in the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watchs red "avoid" category of sustainability, which means that you can enjoy your pasta alla vongole or clams casino with a clear conscience. Each recipe is an adventure in fine dinning ranging from an intimate dinner to a good old fashion clambake. In contrast to clams in the Philippines, Purple Clams are more creamy and tender. Cockles can sub in for clams in nearly any cooked recipes. clams 2 Tbsp. And for good reason: They are abundant, tasty, and healthful (full of iron and vitamin B). Move a deep sided skillet onto already heated burner and add about 1 inch of water and a glug of the Sherry wine then bring to a boil. Crabbing is fair to good during the summer months from the 12th Street Bridge street seaward. We want to help people learn more about seafood so that they can make informed decisions about what to eat. Softshell clams are often best in chowders or as fritters. Transfer clams to a large, clean bowl or plastic container and cover with ice-cold water. If a last-minute day trip to. Add the rice flour by sifting it over the vegetables and stir in to mix and break up any clumps. Although other clams may have shiny brown periostracum, this species appears to have a relatively regular oval shape and a purple interior, making it easy to identify. . The inside of the shell is a vivid purple, unlike any other local clam. When butter begins to froth add the onion, turn heat down to med. Common nomenclature around this clam varies up and down the coast, including the simple "hard" or "hardshell," and the preparation depends on the size. Tropical Chia Pudding Breakfast Bowl (High Protein), Choosing Hydroponic Grow Lights for Your Grow Room A-Grade Hydroponics, Pesto Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner 100 Days of Real Food, The Benefits of Hydroponic Strawberry Growing A-Grade Hydroponics, Building a Pallet Planter: Getting Started, Stop And Smell The Roses For Better Mental Health, 1 tsp. Mussels: 72. by Harley Gutirrez | Nov 19, 2022 | Clams. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375. They have been replacing native Asian clams, also known as Littleneck clams, which were introduced into the area by combining Pacific oyster seed with imported Asian clams in the 1940s, and then quickly colonized the native Littleneck clams. Request a permit for diving into an oyster or a sacallop by contacting the ODFW Marine Resources Program. Purple varnish clams can be found in a variety of bays and estuaries throughout Oregon, including Sand Lake, Siletz Bay, Alsea Bay, Siuslaw River estuary, and Coos Bay. Nuttallia obscurata is commonly known as the Purple Varnish Clam or the Purple Mahogany Clam. The Narragansett tribe of Native Americans waded and dove for these clams, which dominate the clam-scape of the East Coast. Seemed like a high percentage had those tiny little crabs living inside the shell with the clam too. Anchor & Hope SF was created with the goal of providing people with accurate and reliable information about seafood. Jon Bell is an Oregon writer and author of the book, On Mount Hood: A Biography of Oregons Perilous Peak. Add one tab of butter to each bowl, chopped chives and a sprinkle of paprika. Clamming season in Rhode Island is from mid-September to mid-May. Shrimp and prawns: Daily limit of 20 pounds including the shell. This program is free and registration is not required. (Note razor clamming in Oregon is closed from July 15 to September 30 each year.). An option is to leave a few clams per bowl in their shells as a garnish for the soup. In the spring and summer months, purple varnish clams can be found in the tidal flats along the Pacific coast. 2 eggs 1 teaspoon crushed garlic In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together except for crab and crackers. Our award winning recipe for Oregon's. While most fishmongers will purge clams for sale, purging them again in salted water to make sure will save you the extraordinary terrible-ness of biting into a gritty clam. The regulations help to ensure that the clam remains a popular food for future generations. And before you head out, call the shellfish safety hotline at 800-448-2474 to be sure clamming is open in your area, along with the clams youre targeting. Because the toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) can be stored in this type of clam, red tide warnings and closures are in effect. A maximum of 20 bay clams may be caught per person per day, but 12 may be gaper clams. In addition to providing information, Anchor & Hope also provides delicious seafood recipes that are easy to follow. Read on to find out just what kind of clamming suits your speed and season. Clam diggers in Oregon are required to have a valid shellfish permit. I know, I knowjust the word "invasive species" makes you shudder, right? A forum community dedicated to anglers and fishing enthusiasts. Region: West Coast, New England, Gulf of Mexico, Spain, New Zealand (farmed).Best Use: In place of clams for most cooked recipes, laksa. Only show this user . Region: East Coast.Size: Over three inches wide, up to half-pound.Best Use: In chowders, chopped up and gently cooked. The largest of the quahog designations, the name says it all: Theyre well suited for traditional chowders, as theyre too big and tough for serving raw and need a good chop followed by a gentle cook. Purple varnish clams, a new breed of clam, have made their way to our shores via bilge water from ocean-going ships. The thrill of the catch. A Brief Ode to Fried Clams, the Best Fried Food in the World, Spaghetti allo Scoglio (Spaghetti With Mixed Seafood) Recipe, Why Raw Clams Are Making a Comeback in New England and Beyond, Pacific Razor Clams: How to Catch, Clean, and Cook Them, The Best New England Clam Chowder in Boston, 24 Clam, Oyster, and Mussel Recipes for Shellfish Lovers, How to Cook Sous Vide Lobster | The Food Lab, This Small West Coast Oyster Is Making a Big Comeback, All About Geoduck: The Life of a (Delicious) Oversized Mollusk, Eating America: A Coast-to-Coast Culinary Road Trip With Jane and Michael Stern, A Seaweed Primer: How to Use Kelp, Nori, Wakame, and More, A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Better Shrimp, complete guide to catching, cleaning, and cooking the Pacific razor clam, Spaghetti alle Vongole in Bianco (With White Clam Sauce) Recipe. To clean the clam bodies, gently squeeze the clam bodies with your thumb and index finger to force the visceral material out of the clam's body. Purple Varnish Clam Chowder 2 lbs cleaned (approx 80) Purple Varnish, Razor or Manila clams 1.5 Ibs red potatoes peeled & cubed 1 stock celery minced small (like seriously small) yellow onion minced real butter 1/4 cup white rice flour 1/4 cup + an extra glug of Sherry cooking wine (sub white wine) 4 cups chicken, fish, or vegetable stock This will help keep your clam dishes grit-free. Add the milk and continue to stir. It is illegal to consume more than 72 purple varnish clams per day. You don't need a very low tide (even a + 0.4 works). Visit the ODFW's agency site. When oil is hot carefully place crab cakes into the oil and brown for 4-5 minutes. Email theOregon Fish & Wildlife Commission at odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov. To steam purple varnish clams, simply add them to a pot of boiling water. A little creamy and tender, Purple Clams are more like mussels than Manila Clams. Starting at over three-inches wide, one clam can weigh as much as a half-pound. Its an enjoyable way to pass the time with family and friends. cannabis infused soy sauce (made in the, 1 Tbsp. Adding cornmeal or black pepper to the water, in addition to encouraging clams to spit out more sand, is also said to have a positive effect on clams. Youve got the tide tables memorized and a favorite recipe for clam chowder queued up and ready to go. Eat 'Em to Beat 'Em: Purple Varnish Clams. wild stinging nettles or spinach (available at most farmers markets), 1 tsp. Now with AWARD WINNING RECIPES the 128 page color edition of Oregon's Clams is the complete color guide to digging clams on the Oregon Coast. Varnish clams shells are flat and thin, and they can measure up to 31 inches in length. Pinterest. These delectable clams have a salty and sweet flavor profile. Purple Varnish clams were most likely eaten as planktonic larvae by a ship traveling from Asia to the Puget Sound. Clam Harvest Ethics: 1. Fortunately, ODFW has. If you taste butter clams, you will notice a little more of a crunch. They are easy to dig. Actually I have had good and bad luck with PVCs. Growing up in an Italian immigrant family and living in New England generally meant that we would be spending a lot of time in the mud. How to Clean and Cook Softshell Clams Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Purple Varnish Clams have a strong flavor and tender flesh, making them ideal for eating in a bowl. . Driving a bit while downing coffee and trying to hit the lake before the fish wake up. To cook, bring an inch or two of salted water to a boil, add clams and wait for them to pop open, just about 20 to 30 seconds. The purple varnish clams were discovered in Oregon recently, most likely from Asian waters. February 21, 2023. Or theres a decidedly Is any of the information on this page incorrect? For us as a family, clamming was usually a great excuse to head to the beach leaving the farm behind for Narragansett, Point Judith Pond, and the muddy bays and estuaries that get plenty of tidal flow. If you forage the clams yourself, you want to purge them by scrubbing them and then soaking them in clean, sand-free seawater for about half an hour. . Varnish clams have an oval shaped shell that is thin, flat, and up to 3 inches long. But we here in the US do miss out on a few international species. Thoroughly was any of the remaining sand from the clams. To marinate the shitakes: heat oil in a small saut pan over medium heat. The states 363 miles of coastline dish up accessible options for all levels of experience and enthusiasm. It is native to the western coast of North America, from Alaska to Baja California. Some will even offer instructions on how to forage for them and have recipes for the local species. Smaller ones are eaten raw, shucked and on the half-shell, whereas bigger ones are the basis of famed clam chowder . They can also be steamed open in white wine. Savoury clams are an invasive species in Washington state, but there is a market for them. The Oregon Coast is beautiful, but it can also be unpredictable. Recipe: Purple Varnish Clam, Wild Nettle, and Mushroom Bone Broth Ramen PREP TIME: 30 minutes COOK TIME: 20 minutes YIELD: 2 bowls TOTAL THC/CBD: Depends on the potency of the products used STATUS: a bowl of noods FROM THE PANTRY: Cannabis-infused soy sauce, cannabis infused sesame oil Spaghetti with Clams There's always room for seafood pasta in my belly. When the ship arrived and the ballast tanks were discharged, the surviving larvae found footing in the hospitable waters of British Columbia and the Sound. Unlike East Coast steamers, though, these are hard-shell clams, perhaps the smallest and sweetest youll find on a table in the US. The periostracum is worn away to white at the hinge, and sometimes smaller shells will have some . There are some signs that purple clams were introduced to the Pacific Northwest in the 1980s by water from a ballast pool. In the recipe, hopefully the best of both worlds is exactly what we are doing here. (LogOut/ The number of varnish clams that can be harvested will protect the population and ensure that their ecosystem remains as delicate as possible. They can be found in nearly every estuary in Oregon year-round, but some popular digging spots include Coos Bay, Necanicum Bay and Siletz Bay. +3 The scientific name mercenaria comes from the Latin word for "pay," the same root as the word mercenary, for their use as wampum (see above). Varnish Clams: They are particularly abundant near fresh water inputs. They can be found as deep as 20 centimetres (6.9 inches) below the surface, or as deep as the intertidal zone, and they are buried in sand, gravel, or silt. Purple Varnish Clams are a good choice for fancy seafood soups, where whole live clams are included. Add white wine and bring to. If you find small crabs inside, just discard them. The crabbing from 12th Ave. Bridge over the Necanicum River Estuary was good the last time I visited the area. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall describes the difference between clams and cockles as negligible on the beach, but in the kitchen, Clams are posh. Clamming wasnt just a summer activity, contrary to what I thought. Nice limit of clams! What is purple varnish clams used for? Use the tip of a paring knife to remove most of the remaining visceral material. These clams have a long history in Japan and Korea, and were first introduced to Victoria Island, Canada, in 1988. In a small bowl, beat the egg, milk and reserved clam juice; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Go wild. Their small size makes for a sweet, tender treat when raw on the half-shell, but, of course, with less meat than larger clams. Purple varnish clam, dark mahogany-clam Nuttallia obscurata. Read on to find out just what kind of clamming suits your. Recipe: Purple Varnish Clam, Wild Nettle, and Mushroom Bone Broth Ramen PREP TIME: 30 minutes COOK TIME: 20 minutes YIELD: 2 bowls TOTAL THC/CBD: Depends on the potency of the products used STATUS: a bowl of noods FROM THE PANTRY: Cannabis-infused soy sauce, cannabis infused sesame oil Once theyre cooked, purple varnish clams can be eaten as is or used in a variety of recipes. Manila Region: West Coast. Those musclesand what they dogave the mollusk its name. Main Courses. Fill a large pot half full with water and bring to a rolling boil. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. If you like your chowder on the thick side, add another tablespoon of flour after it is done in the pressure cooker. After harvesting the clams, a good way to begin the cleaning process is to add enough seawater to a bucket to cover the clams and allow them to sit overnight. Place clams on top and allow to steam for ten minutes until clams open. The varnish clam, a keystone species of the ecosystem, is an important component. Permits for diving with abalone and sperm are available through the ODFW Marine Resources Program. Make a 78 inch (1820 cm) hole in the ground. lined with clams that you can: steamed, sauted, in pasta, grilled, raw, pan- or deep-fried, or in chowder. lions mane mushroom powder (optional), 2 Tbsp. Instead of pouring the clams and water into a strainer, pull the clams out of the water. Known as nuttalia obscurata, the Purple Varnish clam or just Varnish clamsometimes marketed as the more delicious-sounding Savoury clamwas most likely sucked up as planktonic larvae into the ballast tanks of a large ship that was traveling from Asia to the Puget Sound. Immediately dump the clams into a cold water bath to stop them from cooking. Tip For more flavor, look for steamers with darker shells. So help out our Littleneck and other native species and eat more invasive-yet-tasty clams; they'll thank you for it. The recipes listed in Oregon's Razor Clams or Oregon's Bay Clams were contributed by clam digging enthusiasts and are cause for celebration when dinning with family and friends. But enough about the clams that you cant eat: The coasts of the US are (literally!) cannabis infused soy sauce (made in the MB2e), 4 oz. Discard the clam shells or set them aside for use in the recipe for stuffed clams. Im not aware of any harm done. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Scallops: 24. Seemed like a high percentage had those tiny little crabs living inside the shell with the clam too. Varnish clams are small, round, and have a soft, chewy texture. Inside, a thick, shiny periostracum is found, which is the fibrous layer on the shells. Buried in sand, gravel, or silt, these clams can be found all along the intertidal zone between mid- to high-intertidal zones. Varnish clams are typically found buried deeper in the substrate than either Manila clams or native littlenecks. Remove from heat, marinate in the soy sauce, and set aside. This recipe is very bare bones as its my thinking that fewer ingredients are the best method overall for sustainable recipes. Habitat: These clams can be found in cobble to muddy substrate. When prepared this way, they're often served with a bowl of the steaming liquid and clarified butter on the side; dipping the clams in the liquid serves to rinse off any remaining grit before they get dunked in the butter and devoured. Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Sand crabs, mole crabs, kelp worms and sand worms: No limit. Mussels: Daily limit of 72. Wash your clams in fresh water for about 20 minutes before cooking them. Backfill your holes. Add onions and celery. The states 363 miles of coastline dish up accessible options for all levels of experience and enthusiasm. A little red wine vinegar is added before serving for extra . The Purple Varnish Clam is an invasive species on the west coast and the best way to get rid of them is to eat them one by one. In the batch of 72, we had only three that were duds. Cant find what you need? Scientific Name:Nuttallia obscurata Size:1.5 - 3 in. Every spoonful of this thick and creamy soup has clams, potatoes, and bacon! Jul 14, 2019 - After our clamming adventure the other day, I set out preparing the haul. Purple varnish clams can be cooked a variety of ways, but steaming is the most popular method. Region: Pacific Northwest, Canada, and Alaska.Best Use: Sliced and served raw (sashimi), tenderized and fried, or served in hot pot. Crabs are said to pinch a snail when it eats a clam, such as the Lewis moon snail, or another type of snail. The clam's inner shell is a rich, royal purple. The harvest regulations are necessary to protect the population of purple varnish clams in Oregons bays and estuaries. Current conditions and opportunities to crab and clam. Cook for 25 minutes. Nothing beats hanging out on the beach, getting super stoned, and digging clams. Ready to hit the road? To remove sand from purple varnish clams, you can either fill a bowl with cool tap water and add cornmeal or black pepper, or steam them for ten minutes at a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the shells open. Purple Varnish clams are most likely eaten as plankton larvae by ships sailing from Asia to Puget Sound. Mi Xao Lobster Recipe: How to Create Asian Flavor for 2023. Maybe they could be used for crab bait?? When the fresh water is filtered, the clam pushes salt water and sand out of their shells. And the quahog gave way to the ever-so-phallic geoduck. My Best Clam Chowder 2,475 Ratings Linguine with Clam Sauce 373 Ratings New England Clam Chowder 745 Ratings The Best Clam Sauce 302 Ratings Linguine with White Clam Sauce The residual sand common to purple varnish clams is removed from the clam by discarding the siphon tubes. Make another bowl of the saltwater mixture and soak the clams again. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE Region: New England Coast.Best Use: Shucked and fried whole or steamed and served with steaming liquid and clarified butter. They are Oregon's largest common clam. Razor Clams: 15. As soon as they open begin to remove them either one by one as they open with tongs or just strain the skillet directly. 2. How to Clean and Cook Purple Varnish Clams Allow the clams to stand for 20 minutes to give the flour time to adhere to the clams. Simply soak them in a bucket of cold water for about 24 hours. Written by . Why purple varnish clams are good? Allow the clams to sit for 20 minutes to an hour in the refrigerator. The shellfish harvest permit of Oregon is required to harvest clams. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Web purple varnish clam prep for cooking 5,654 views dec 25, 2017 how to prepare purple varnish clams prior to cooking is explained by the mad clammer (aka. dry wild mushroom mix (crushed into small pieces), 1 Tbsp. Place the flour in a separate deep bowl; set aside. Once they're cooked, purple varnish clams can be eaten as is or used in a variety of recipes. There is usually a small license fee for adults and kid permits are free. If the clams are small, you can eat them whole after. Rivers mighty and small. Once the clam is loosened, lift it out of the sand and place it in your bucket. Purple varnish clams live about 6 to 8 inches down and can be found in large numbers year-round with minimal effort in the mud and pebbles of Oregon bays. The varnish clam (Chamixius fimbriatus) is a small, burrowing clam that is found in eelgrass beds in the northeastern United States. They are super easy to harvest. It is not illegal to take 36 clams per day from a single eastern softshell or purple varnish clams. It all comes together in one pot and under an hour! In large estuarine systems such as Coos Bay, Tillamook Bay, and Yaquina Bay, it is most common to find them. Its a small clam with a light weight that is roughly the size of a Manilla. Click HERE to return to Oregon's Razor Clam Page or HERE to return to Oregon's Clams. Join the fun! The harvesting of varnish clams is governed by regulations to protect the species population. The first photograph is of the dinner I cooked from my wife, Diane, Including fresh shucked oysters. Always know and adhere to limits to ensure clams are there for the next generation. Clamming Exploriences last approximately one to two hours. They only take a few minutes to cook through and will be done when their shells open. It is critical to cook them slowly and thoroughly to retain their flavor. As of Nov. 3, 2022, razor clamming is closed coastwide due to elevated levels of domoic acid, a naturally occurring marine biotoxin. No problem. After digging clams, you must immerse them in seawater for 24 hours to allow them to expel any sand that may be trapped inside. Thinner and more delicate, in both appearance and flavor, than its West Coast counterpart, these slim, mottled brown specimens grace fine-dining tables and tapas restaurants, often prepared extremely simplysteamed, grilled, or a la plancha (seared on a griddle), theyre typically adorned with a light sauce to avoid overwhelming their subtle sweetness. No trenching. Position the cursor over the photo while clicking with the mouse to scroll through the photographs. Tried to cook and eat some but couldn't get the mud out of them even though we let them purge a good while in clean water. The clam is found in intertidal zones, and is harvested for food. Whatever your preference is, the clams expel sand from their shells, making for a delicious soup or appetizer. Congradulations to clam digger Emily for an inspirational win at the Clackamas County Fair. As the clams breathe they filter water. They are similar to steamed clams in terms of flavor. These are the clams most often seen raw, on the half-shell on seafood platters. 83 Minna St, San Francisco, CA, United States, California, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Do Mussels Poop? 2 lbs cleaned (approx 80) Purple Varnish, Razor or Manila clams, small (like seriously small)yellow onion minced, 1/4 cup + an extra glug of Sherry cooking wine (sub white wine). Because of their size and lighter weight than Manilla clams, I like to serve them in fancy seafood soups containing whole live clams. Fishing usually entails getting up before sunrise. To wilt the nettles: heat the oil in a small saut pan over medium-high heat until almost smoking hot. We are so very proud of her accomplishment. From chewy to starchy to crunchy, this chowder has every wonderful texture you can imagine. Then, using a small shovel or spade, dig around until you find a clam. Purple varnish clams are a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal, so get out there and start harvesting your own! There is no limit to the amount of mud and ghost shrimp. This easy, high-protein, Tropical Chia Pudding Breakfast Bowl is creamy. Region: West Coast.Best Use: Steamed clam dishes, sauced with butter, white wine, or broth. Eat them straight from the shell or add to chowders and pastas. Clamming on the Oregon Coast is easy, fun and rewarding. If youre looking for a unique seafood experience, purple varnish clams are a great option. Squid: No Limit. When you see that telltale hole in the sand most frequently at minus-low tides dig down gently but quickly with your shovel or clam gun to get the goods. 2. Join in the fun. Purple varnish clams, also known as mahogany clams, are indigenous to North Americas Pacific Northwest. Limits were recently increased and separated to allow increased harvest of these clams. Get fresh recipes, cooking tips, deal alerts, and more! Clam Recipes Find recipes for New England clam chowder and Manhattan clam chowder, tips and recipes for steamed and fried clams, and every clam pasta sauce under the sun. Web purple varnish clams have a good strong clam flavor and tender flesh, if not overcooked. Rinse softshell clams, then submerge them in boiling water for 20 to 30 seconds until the shell pops open. GaryP1958. The harvest of these bivalves is permitted in some parts of the world, where they are regarded as delicacies. They are a small clam but are found in huge groups making it easy to dig up a whole bunch at one time*. Clams are one of my favorite foods. 1 tomato, sliced thin 1 c. white wine Pour olive oil into a large pot over medium-high heat. February 25, 2023. . Purple varnish clams are delicious. Walk along the tidal flats until you see the telltale purple shells of the clams. Named for its resemblance to a straight razor, this species, easily distinguishable from the Pacific razor clam, also goes by the name Atlantic jackknife. Their shells are usually purple in color on the interior. The purple varnish clam pushes out little neck and butter clams. They can be fried whole or in strips, or added to various dishes. They are oval-shaped and flattened, with a shiny brown coating (periostracum) on the outer surface of the shell; the interior of the shell is purple. Named after Little Neck Bay on Long Island, these guys are usually about one and half inches wide, and usually show up steamed open and served with a light sauce or in clams casino. Explore. Although we do have razor clams in New England, they are nothing like those here in Washington and Oregon. Purple varnish clams need to be purged before theyre cooked. After soaking them in salt water overnight, I rinsed them and refrigerated , a tasty, mild clam often used in chowders or served as fritters. Lobster, Crab, And Shrimp Macaroni And Cheese Recipe 2023. Where can I find purple varnish clams in the Oregon Coast area? Jul 23, 2018 - Our award winning recipe for Oregon's Stuffed Clams using purple varnish sets purple varnish above the rest. . It is native to the Northwest Pacific from Russia, Japan and China. Also used them for bait - they work OK if the fish are biting clams. And dont give up: Razors have been found as far as 4 feet below the surface. To arrange your ramen situation: divide the cooked noodles into the two large ramen bowls, add five marinated shitakes to each bowl, add 7 cooked clams to each bowl, with 2 oz. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter . Region: Pacific Northwest, Alaska.Best Use: Steamed, in chowders, fried, or chopped in ceviche. (Adult nonresident licenses are $28.) Drop the clams into the boiling water. My name is Maria Jimnez and I am the owner and creator of Anchor and Hopes SF, a seafood blog dedicated to providing recipes, information, and anything else related to seafood. They are known by a variety of names including blue, empire, horse and horse-neck clams. Lower heat if onion continues to brown.