Mercenaria mercenaria

A larger and meatier clam, littlenecks are great for steaming, grilling or in stews and paella. Originating from New England and Mid-Atlantic states, Kanaloa’s littleneck clams are available year round and sold by the pound, which will usually yield about 6-9 clams.

Note on clams: Because clams are still alive when they are cooked, it is normal for them to open and close. If a clam’s shell is separated slightly it can still be cooked as if the shell were closed, there really is no difference. However, if the clam is gaping wide open, won’t close when tapped on the countertop and doesn’t smell fresh, then it should be discarded.