Summer, sunset, a glass of white wine, and a plate of Spaghetti with Wedge Clams Neapolitan Style. Feeling better already, right?
Today I’m talking about a dish that instantly evokes the sea and summer, incredibly simple yet unforgettable in taste. The wedge clams, these tiny sea jewels, are small shellfish with a bold and hearty flavor. The funniest part is that it’s super easy to catch them with our hands.
The wedge clams in this recipe, in fact, we gathered ourselves at sea, on an ordinary beach day. It’s an activity we’ve carried with us since childhood, and it’s magical and wonderful to share it with family. While collecting them, you’re already thinking about the delicious dish you’ll enjoy in the evening with friends or family, tanned and happy after a day at the beach.
Of course, you’ll also find wedge clams at the fish market XD.
But let’s not get carried away with chatter, and I’ll show you right away how to make them. We need very little time and very few ingredients!
If you love spaghetti like I do, also try:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Mid-August, Summer
- Energy 550.84 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 50.27 (g) of which sugars 6.98 (g)
- Proteins 29.75 (g)
- Fat 26.37 (g) of which saturated 3.92 (g)of which unsaturated 13.07 (g)
- Fibers 5.40 (g)
- Sodium 1,789.26 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 250 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Spaghetti with Wedge Clams Neapolitan Style
- 2.2 lbs shellfish (wedge clams)
- 11.3 oz spaghetti
- 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 7 oz cherry tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic
- to taste chili pepper
- to taste salt
- to taste chopped parsley
Tools for Spaghetti with Wedge Clams Neapolitan Style
- 1 Frying Pan pan
- 1 Casserole casserole
- 1 Knife chopping knife
Steps for Spaghetti with Wedge Clams Neapolitan Style
How to purge the wedge clams:
First, we take care of our wedge clams. If hand-caught, they should be kept in seawater and left to purge for at least about two hours. After this time, rinse them well under running water.
If purchased from the fish market, let them purge in water with added coarse salt. Then rinse them under fresh water.
Let’s prepare the recipe:
Put a pot of salted water to boil.
In a pan, lightly heat oil, chili pepper, and garlic. Once slightly warm, add the wedge clams (well-drained) and immediately cover with a lid. In a few minutes, they will open, releasing their water and a delicious aroma.
Meanwhile, the water in the pot will come to a boil, and we can add the spaghetti.
On a cutting board, chop the tomatoes and parsley with a knife. Shell half of the wedge clams, and add the tomatoes to the pan. Let them wilt by crushing them a little and adjust the seasoning with salt.
Drain the spaghetti al dente and transfer them directly into the pan with the wedge clams, saving the pasta cooking water, which will be used to mix everything well and finish cooking over very low heat to avoid drying out the pasta.
Once everything is well mixed, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Curiosities and Variations
Wedge clams are perfect also mixed with other shellfish like clams or cockles. You can try this recipe by mixing the different types. The result will be surprising!
For this recipe, I love cherry tomatoes. You can skip them and just deglaze with half a glass of white wine.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use frozen wedge clams if I can’t find fresh ones?
Of course! Even with frozen wedge clams, you’ll get great results. The key is to properly thaw them and then proceed as per the recipe. This way, you can prepare a quick and tasty pasta even out of season or when time is tight!
Can I store leftover spaghetti with wedge clams?
Yes, but with some precautions. Spaghetti with wedge clams are best when freshly made, but if there are leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, in an airtight container. When reheating, add a drizzle of oil and a splash of water to prevent them from drying out. This isn’t a recipe meant to last long, so it’s perfect for a quick dinner to be enjoyed right away!
If you bought wedge clams but need to cook them the next day, wrap them in a damp cloth and store them in the coldest part of the fridge.How long does it take to purge the wedge clams?
It takes up to 2 hours to purge the wedge clams. Leave them in their seawater or in salted running water to eliminate sand and impurities.
