How to Clean Mussels / Clams

Mussels and clams are the filters of the sea, they quite literally filter dirt and grime in the ocean and make it cleaner! But this means that sometimes dirt and grime are stuck in them, even after processing and getting them from the fish market.

To get this dirt and grime out I recommend soaking in cold salt water for 15 minutes. This will draw out any sand and dirt that is in there. This dirt won’t kill you, but there will be texture of sand which isn’t pleasant.

Follow the below steps for cleaning and prepping mussels / or clams!

Ingredients:

• clams or mussels
• salt

Preparation:

STEP 1.

Add your clams or mussels to cold and salted water. I don’t measure the salt, just a generous amount and mix it in. Soak for 15 minutes and then drain the water.

STEP 2.

Scrub any blemishes or barnacles off of the mussels and clams with a sponge or steel wool.

STEP 3.

For mussels, you will need to debeard them. They have a little bit of hairy type of item sticking out of them, this is the beard. Using a paper towel or towel, pull the beard out.

STEP 4.

If any of your mussels are open, tap the shell to make sure they are still alive. If they are alive, they will close when you tap them. If they are dead they will remain open, discard them if they are dead, they are unsafe to cook and eat.

STEP 5.

Refrigerate or cook immediately.