Venus Clam

What Is a Venus Clam?

The Venus clam (Venus verrucosa) is a clam known for its thick, hard, ridged shell; in Turkish it is called “kidonya” and is also known as “venus midyesi.” It lives buried in sandy and muddy sea floors.

The plump, pale meat between its two shells has a slightly sweet, sea-like aroma. It is most often served raw with lemon or very lightly cooked as meze.

Nutritional Values of Venus Clams

Like other clams, Venus clams contain about 86 kcal of energy per 100 g, are high in protein and low in fat, and are rich in iron. The values are approximate and based on a similar shellfish profile.

What Are the Benefits of Venus Clams?

With its high-quality protein and iron content, Venus clam can be considered part of a balanced diet.

This information is general; Venus clam is a food and is not a substitute for medical treatment. People with shellfish allergies should be cautious.

How to Choose Venus Clams

The best Venus clams are alive, heavy, and closed; shells that close when tapped lightly are fresh. Do not select specimens that remain open and do not close.

• The shell should be closed and intact.
• It should feel heavy and have a clean, sea-like smell.
• Do not select specimens that remain open and do not close.

How to Store Venus Clams

Live Venus clams should be covered with a damp cloth, kept in a cool place for a short time, and eaten as soon as possible. Shellfish spoil quickly after they die, so do not leave them sitting.

Using Venus Clams in the Kitchen

Venus clams are most often served raw as meze, opened and topped with lemon; they can also be opened briefly by steaming or in a pan, then used in garlic-sauce dishes and seafood pasta.

How to Open a Venus Clam

Wash the Venus clam thoroughly in plenty of water, then open it between the two shells with a thin knife. If serving it raw, squeeze lemon over it; if cooking it, steam it or place it in a hot pan until the shells open on their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Venus clams be eaten raw?

Fresh, live specimens are traditionally eaten raw with lemon; however, freshness and a clean source are important when consuming raw shellfish.

Are Venus clams and scallops the same?

Both are bivalve shellfish, but they are different species; the Venus clam has a thicker, more ridged shell.

How do you clean Venus clams?

Soak them in salted water for a while to release sand, then scrub and rinse them in plenty of water; this removes sand and sediment from the shell surface.