How to Clean a Razor Clam

Ingredients

• Fresh razor clams
• A pot of boiling water
• A bowl of ice water
• Kitchen scissors + a small knife

Steps

1. Blanch: drop clams in boiling water for 5–10 seconds, just until the shell pops open, then plunge into ice water.
2. Pull the clam from the shell — it slides right out after blanching.
3. Snip off the tip of the neck (siphon) and the dark zipper along the digger (foot).
4. Cut open the digger and neck, rinse away sand and the dark gill/stomach.
5. Lay flat, pat dry. You now have a clean clam ready to cook or freeze.

Tip. Rinse under cold running water, not warm — warm water turns the meat rubbery.