National Clams on the Half Shell Day

National Clams on the Half Shell Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to shellfish. It is an unusual and healthy food that some praise and others hate. Seafood lovers get ready to party, because this holiday is for you! It is celebrated on March 31.

History

The exact history of National Clams on the Half Shell Day is unknown. Probably, the holiday was decided by initiative shellfish lovers to make them more popular and once again enjoy the taste of these seafood!

Bivalve mollusks are used as food. Inside their flaps there is meat, which is eaten. There are many varieties of mollusks that live both in freshwater reservoirs and in the seas and oceans.

The first generally accepted clam dish was Calms Casino, which was prepared in 1917 in Rhode Island at a small Casino in the town of Narragansett. There on one clam shell was the meat itself, as well as a filling of bacon and peppers. And on top was a breading of breadcrumbs. It became very popular with guests and soon began to be served in many restaurants, as well as the impetus for the creation of new and interesting dishes made of clams!

Interesting facts

• There are huge South Pacific clams. They are not edible. However, their weight – about 200 kg – is striking. Today they are on the verge of extinction and are listed in the Red Book.
• There are about 12 thousand varieties of mollusks on the planet, and more than 150 of them are edible.
• Clams are often bred for food at specialized farms. They also need to be properly cleaned and cooked, since they are inherently natural “filters” and therefore can contain dangerous metal compounds and toxins.

How to celebrate

Visit your favorite cafe or restaurant that does great clam dishes. Test your culinary skills by cooking them yourself!

Spread the word on social media. Ask users if they like clams. If not, why not?

When is National Clams on the Half Shell Day celebrated in 2024?

National Clams on the Half Shell Day is observed on March 31 each year.

Observations