Don’t put yourself and others at risk of getting sick. Clean and cook your shellfish the proper way!
Labor Day weekend is here, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the final seafood and shellfish of summer before the chill of fall sets in. If you are ready to dig into seafood this weekend, here is what you need to know about cooking and cleaning shellfish and seafood.
Cleaning Shellfish
Whenever you purchase clams or mussels, always ensure that they are all as fresh as possible. Every minute that pieces of shellfish are out of water is a minute where the seafood quality is decreasing. Always store the shellfish on top of ice before you use them or place them in a refrigerator.
Right before you are ready to cook, you should clean your shellfish. Place them in a bowl of cold water and allow them to soak. Ideally, the pieces of shellfish should soak for 20 minutes. This process encourages them to release any sand or debris that is in the shells and give them time to breathe.
Remove each piece of shellfish one at a time and scrub them in water. If any mussels have beards coming out from their shells, yank them out in the direction of the hinge end.
Check Before You Cook
Next, you should check to make sure that your shellfish are still alive. Any shellfish that are still alive should have closed shells. If any shells are open, tap the shellfish on the counter. If it closes, the clam or mussel is still living, so you can cook it.
Cook Away!
Finally, it’s time to cook your shellfish and seafood. The best way to cook them is by steaming them with aromatics like garlic and onions. Add herbs and a liquid of your choice, like white wine, and slip your shellfish in. Once they have steamed open, they are ready to eat.
Your Seafood Destination this Summer
Costas Inn has been a Baltimore tradition since 1971. You may recognize our restaurant, which was recently featured on the Food Network with Michael Symon on Burgers, Brew, and ‘Que! We were also voted the 2015 #1 Baltimore Seafood Restaurant by USA Today, as well as #1 Crab Restaurant 2014 in the Baltimore Business Journal. You may have also spotted Costas Inn during one of our 9 appearances on the Today Show or heard one of our many interviews on WJZ TV Channel 13 with Ron Matz and Marty Bass.
You can enjoy our famous crab cakes in-house or order them online for anytime eating. We also provide some of the best seafood catering in the Baltimore area! You can also get your fill from Costas even when you’re not in our dining room: follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube!