Video Feature: How To Prepare Razor Clams for Raw Use
Q: What is a razor clam?
A “razor clam” is a general term for an elongated saltwater clam that resembles a closed straight razor. Different razor clam species can be found across the coasts of North America. There are over 23 species in the Atlantic alone. The most common Atlantic razor, however, is the Ensis directus, or more commonly known as the Atlantic jackknife clam.
Q: Where can you find razor clams?
Razor clams can be found in intertidal and subtidal zones of bays and estuaries. They are filter feeders with short siphons, so they live just beneath the surface to feed. When low tides expose the bottom, they dig and burrow themselves deeper into the mud with their strong muscular feet. They are extremely sensitive to vibrations, so depending on where they’re being attacked from, they can propel themselves out of their burrows or dig even deeper to escape.
Q: How are razor clams harvested?
There are a number of ways to harvest razor clams depending on which zone they live in:
Subtidal Razor Clams
Razor clams found in the subtidal zone are usually diver caught and harvested by hand because of their brittle shells. The subtidal zone never goes dry, therefore the only way to access them is to dive underwater to reach the bottom.
Intertidal Razor Clams (most common in New England)
Harvesting razors from the intertidal zone may not require diving gear, but the clams are also harvested by hand. At low tides, the water recedes to give diggers access to the bottom. Diggers must dig quickly or use tricks and tools like clam guns and salt solutions to catch these fast movers. In Massachusetts, a salt solution is sprayed into their burrows. This salinity disturbs the clams enough to get them to emerge from their holes. Diggers then pull the razors by hand before they escape.
Q: Why are razor clams so limited? When are they available?
Razor clams are a limited item because they must be harvested gently and by hand. Unlike other shellfish, they cannot be dredged. Subtidal razors cannot be harvested in great supply and intertidal razors can only be harvested if all of the following conditions are true:
Tides are dictated by the pull of gravity between the Moon and the Earth. When the moon aligns with the sun twice a month (New Moon and Full Moon), this pull of gravity (or tractive force) causes high tides to be higher and low tides to be lower. These extreme low tides are the opportune times for razor clamming, but if they occur outside of daylight hours, no shellfishing will be allowed.
Summer is a good time for razors because there’s a longer window for low tide to occur during daylight hours. In other seasons, checking low tides on a tide chart will be useful in predicting when razors may be available in a given month.
Q: What’s the best way to transport and keep razor clams fresh?
When transporting razor clams, it is important to make sure they are packed tightly so they do not move around. Their shells are fragile and susceptible to breakage. Some harvesters will make bundles and band them together with rubber bands to help them stay closed and alive. If transporting with wet ice, the containers should have drainage to prevent the clams from sitting in still water. The best way to keep razor clams fresh is in a fridge with a damp towel over them, making sure there is plenty of drainage.
Q: What is a razor clam’s shelf life? How soon should it be used?
We recommend using these clams immediately for the best results, especially if serving them raw. The typical shelf life of a razor clam is about 5 days from harvest.
Q: How do I prepare or clean a razor clam?
Razor clams can be easily steamed open, so they do not require much prep besides a rinse. If you’re using them raw, however, you’ll want to clean off some debris. In this video, Bekah shares a quick overview on how to prepare razor clams for raw use.
Q: What are some ways to serve razor clams?
