Clambake - A Fantastic Meal To Remember

When I hear the word, “Clambake” I can’t help but have visions of a young Elvis Presley singing on a white, sandy beach while surrounded by the usual group of beautiful girls. But a clambake is so much more than a silly movie from the 60’s.

A clambake is actually an old tradition that goes back to the early settlers of New England and their interactions with Native Americans. The Native Americans taught our early settlers this special was of cooking fresh lobster and clams. The traditional clambake requires digging a hole and covering the bottom of it with large stones. On top of that stones, you build a large, very hot fire. Once the fire has burned for several hours and your stones are extremely hot, you are ready to add the food.

Typical clambake menus consist of fresh, live lobsters, fresh clams and other seafood, baked potatoes, onions, corn on the cob, and lots of lemon and butter. The food is arranged in individual servings, wrapped and tied up in cheesecloth. If you have wire baskets, they are very helpful for holding it all together, and they can be put right into the hole, as they can handle the heat.

Remove the coals and ashes from the rocks before adding your food. Typically the rocks are covered with sea weed, the food, and then more sea weed. If you can cover the whole thing with a tarp, it will help to keep the heat in so that everything can get fully cooked. It usually takes about 2 hours to get done.

An alternative method is to set a 16 quart lobster stock pot directly on rocks. Arrange it so that the tub is elevated, and there is room for a fire underneath. Fill it with a few inches of salt water. Once the water is boiling, fresh live lobsters are added. From here, you simply keep adding the food with layers of sea weed in between.

The lobster is ready to eat when it turns bright red, and the clams will open up when ready for dining. A great, easy way to put your clambake together is with a Deluxe Lobster Clambake from Quality Fresh Seafood. The Lobster, Little Neck Clams, mussels, large cooked shrimp and your choice of freshly made lobster bisque or clam chowder is included.

Simply add fresh veggies, lemon and butter, and you are ready for a great party or family gathering. Whether you have your New England Style Clambake at the beach or in the backyard, this is a feast that will be talked about for years.