Clams

What Are Carpet Shell Clams?

Carpet shell clams (Ruditapes decussatus), known as akivades in Turkish, are a small clam species with a striped-checkered patterned shell that lives in shallow, sandy-muddy bottoms. In Turkish it is also known as “sand mussel”; it is also referred to by its Italian name, “vongole.”

It carries small, tasty flesh inside its two-part shell; it is sold live and the shell opens when cooked. It is the main ingredient of the Italian dish “spaghetti alle vongole.”

Nutritional Value of Carpet Shell Clams

100 grams of raw clam meat contains about 86 kcal of energy, 14.7 g of protein, and very low fat; it is especially extremely rich in iron and vitamin B12. It is one of the highest B12 sources among shellfish.

What Are the Benefits of Carpet Shell Clams?

With their high protein, iron, and B12 content, carpet shell clams can be considered part of a balanced diet; they are a low-fat, nutrient-dense seafood. Those with shellfish allergies should be cautious.

This information is general; carpet shell clams are a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Carpet Shell Clams?

Fresh carpet shell clams are sold live; their shells should be closed, or close when touched, and be heavy with a clean sea smell. Specimens with cracked shells or that stay open and don't close are dead and should not be bought.

• Shells should be closed; open ones should close when touched
• Cracked or split-shelled specimens should be discarded
• Sea smell should be clean; a heavy, foul odor indicates spoilage

How to Store Carpet Shell Clams?

Carpet shell clams are a live product; they should be kept in the refrigerator covered with a damp cloth, allowing air (not in fresh water), for 1–2 days. Keeping them in a sealed container or in water kills them.

Using Carpet Shell Clams in the Kitchen

Carpet shell clams are most commonly steamed with garlic and white wine in vongole pasta, and also used as a cold meze with olive oil and lemon. They should be purged of sand before cooking.

How Is Sand Purged From Carpet Shell Clams?

Carpet shell clams are left for a few hours in cold water salted to seawater density; during this time the clams release the sand inside them, and are then washed and cooked.

How Is Spaghetti Vongole Made?

Garlic is lightly sautéed in olive oil, the clams and white wine are added, and it is cooked covered until the shells open; it is then tossed with cooked spaghetti and parsley.

Which Recipes Use Carpet Shell Clams?

Spaghetti vongole, olive-oil carpet shell clams, steamed carpet shell clams, and seafood stews are their best-known uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are akivades and vongole the same?

Yes; “vongole” is the Italian name for sand clams similar to akivades and describes the same type of shellfish.

Can clams that don't open when cooked be eaten?

No; since they may already have been dead before cooking, shells that don't open after cooking should be discarded.

Can carpet shell clams be eaten raw?

While very fresh specimens are eaten raw in some cuisines, for safety they are recommended to be thoroughly cooked; risk groups in particular should not eat them raw.

What is the difference between carpet shell clams and mussels?

Both are bivalve mollusks; carpet shell clams are small, striped-checkered-patterned sand clams, while common “mussels” refer to the dark-shelled sea mussel (Mytilus).

How are carpet shell clams cleaned?

First the sand is purged in salted water, then the shells are brushed and rinsed in plenty of water; cracked or open ones are discarded.