The Clambake
Whether you're digging in the sand on a warm summer day or heating up the kitchen on a cool fall night, a clambake is a great way to have family and friends together for a scrumptious seafood extravaganza.
Clambakes are a New England tradition, but people have been enjoying steamed seafood for a very, very long time. How long? Researchers recently found evidence in South Africa that humans were harvesting shellfish and steaming them over 150,000 years ago! A lot has changed over the centuries, but even back then it was probably a family affair, as a clambake done right is rather labor intensive...but absolutely worth every minute.
Traditionally done at a beach, you can have a successful clambake virtually anywhere. Your backyard or kitchen will do nicely with a little bit of seashore inspiration. Toss out some beach towels, lanterns, seashells, or anything you have around that conjures up thoughts of the beach.
If you want to capture more of the authenticity of a traditional clambake, set a large metal washtub across whatever you are using for heat — a couple of stovetop burners, your grill, or outdoor fire pit can all provide the necessary heat to steam your way to perfection. Add stones to the bottom of the washtub, then start layering with ingredients the same way you would at the beach. It's a one pot meal that's a little messy to eat, but easy to clean up. Don't worry if everyone is not a seafood lover, you can toss in other flavorful meats like Italian sausage or kielbasa or even chicken for your more traditional meat lovers.
Clambake Mealtime Ideas:
- Cover your table with newspaper or red and white checked tablecloths for an authentic feel.
- Use ice chests or large metal pails filled with ice to keep your beverages cold.
- Ask family and friends to write down their favorite beach memory or beach wish and put them in a pail. During dinner, you can pass around the pail and read what each other have said.
- Ask people to bring something to the table that makes them think of the beach and ask them to share during mealtime.
- For an outdoor clambake, don't let dinner be the end of your meal. Put blankets out for the night chill and enjoy some delicious dessert around the campfire together.
A clambake is a fun way to spend an evening, especially when the evenings are starting to cool just a bit in early fall. Whether your clambake is held on the beach or in your yard or kitchen, your family and friends will most certainly enjoy their time together!