Cant tell the two bivalves apart?
Heres a handy guide.
Mussels show up in the beloved French dish moules mariniere but arent typically called for inchowderlike clams are.
Simply Recipes / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen
Clearly, these shellfish are different.
But how different are they when it comes to cooking?
And most importantly, are clams and mussels interchangeable?
Simply Recipes / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen
Clams Vs. Mussels
First, lets establish how clams and mussels are similar.
The other main category of shellfish is crustaceans, which have one shell and segmented limbs.
Think crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.
Simply Recipes / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen
Clams typically live in shallow water about two feet under the sand or mud.
Mussels, meanwhile, cling to surfaces like ropes or, if theyre farmed, grow in tanks.
What Do Clams and Mussels Taste Like?
Though varieties differ, clams are generally a little sweet, a little salty, and a little minerally.
Their flavor reflects the water in which they grow.
Northern quahogsalso known as cherrystone clams, littleneck clams, or hard-shell clamshave the familiar round, white shells.
Geoducks, which can be found in both the Pacific and the Atlantic, have longer oblong shells.
Manila clams are found in the Pacific and are smaller and sweeter than Northern quahogs.
Soft shell clams, also called steamers, are found everywhere and have dirty white, oval shells.
There are many different species of mussels, roughly 17 of which are edible.
Can You Substitute Clams for Mussels and Vice Versa?
The short answer is: pretty much.
They do taste slightly different, especially if youre comparing mussels to the sweet varieties of clams.
So in that respect, theyre not completely interchangeable.
As with all seafood, choose the freshest option.
If the shells are slightly open, give them a squeeze shut.
If they dont shut, discard them.
If a shell remains shut, discard.
But generally speaking, all clams and mussels should cook quicklywithin just a few minutes.
The most common way to cook clams and mussels is to steam them.
Steam cooks gently, which is ideal for these soft-bodied shellfish.
