clam cake
{{Short description|Seafood dish}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Clam cake
| image = Clam cakes.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| alternate_name = Clam fritter
| country = {{flagicon|US}} United States
| region = New England
{{flagicon|Rhode Island}} Rhode Island
| creator =
| course =
| main_ingredient =
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| type = Seafood
| served =
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Clam cakes (also known as clam fritters) are a part of New England cuisine, most commonly found in Rhode Island although they can also be found in Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts. They are balls of battered clams which have been deep-fried. On the Maine Coast, clam cakes are formed into large, flat patties and fried.
Clam cakes are often served at take-out food outlets or other informal settings as finger food, as part of a meal consisting of several clam cakes, french fries, and cole slaw. This is often served alongside clam chowder. The cakes tend to be eaten dry, dipped in clam chowder or tartar sauce.{{cite web|last=Tremaine|first=Julie|title=This Is Clam Cake Country|url=http://sorhodeisland.com/stories/clam-cakes-and-chowder-restaurants-food-dining-summer-So-Rhode-Island,6309?town_id=4&sub_type=stories%2Cpackages%2Cphotos%2Cblogs|accessdate=1 February 2014|publisher=SO Rhode Island}}
Clam fritters{{cite web|author=Mary|title=Clam Fritters|date=31 October 2010 |url=http://oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/2010/10/clam-fritters.html#.Uu1ZOGRDum4|publisher=One Perfect Bite|accessdate=1 February 2014}} are particularly popular during clamming season when clams are in abundance and it is legal during limited, specified periods for private citizens to dig their own. The surplus of clams must be used up quickly so they do not spoil.{{cite web|last=Rappeport|first=Laurie|title=Clam Digging in New England|url=http://entertainmentguide.local.com/clam-digging-new-england-6848.html|work=Demand Media|publisher=Local.com|accessdate=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203202429/http://entertainmentguide.local.com/clam-digging-new-england-6848.html|archive-date=3 February 2014|url-status=dead}}
Preparation
Each clam cake is a deep-fried ball-shaped mixture containing chopped clam (usually quahog) combined with various other ingredients to give it a firm, hushpuppy-like consistency once fried.{{Cite web|title=Rhode Island Clamcakes—Yes, Crisp Clam Doughnuts—Are the Perfect Taste of Summer|url=http://www.saveur.com/rhode-island-clamcake/|access-date=2020-07-24|website=Saveur|date=18 March 2019 |language=en}} The batter is made from flour, milk, clam juice, eggs and a leavening agent, typically baking powder. Some recipes may include cornmeal.{{Cite web|title=Clam Cakes, Rhody Style|url=https://www.thymemachinecuisine.com/single-post/2016/07/10/Clam-cakes|access-date=2020-07-24|website=thymemachinecuisine|date=10 July 2016 |language=en}}
History
Local legend holds that clam cakes were first served at Aunt Carrie's, a seafood restaurant in Narragansett, Rhode Island in 1920. According to this legend, Carrie Cooper invented clam cakes by adding fresh clams to her corn fritter recipe, thus inventing clam fritters.{{Cite web|date=2014-07-22|title=Phantom Gourmet: Aunt Carrie's Clam Cakes In Narragansett, RI|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/07/22/phantom-gourmet-aunt-carries-clam-cakes-in-narragansett-ri/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726064717/http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/07/22/phantom-gourmet-aunt-carries-clam-cakes-in-narragansett-ri/ |archive-date=2014-07-26 |access-date=2020-07-24|website=CBS Boston|language=en-US}} Clam cake recipes are actually as old as the 19th century.{{Cite web|date=2016-08-17|title=Meet the Clam Cake|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/food/the-plate/2016/08/meet-the-rhode-island-clam-cake/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724001821/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/food/the-plate/2016/08/meet-the-rhode-island-clam-cake/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 24, 2020|access-date=2020-07-24|website=National Geographic|language=en}}
See also
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web
|url= https://www.nationalgeographic.com/people-and-culture/food/the-plate/2016/08/meet-the-rhode-island-clam-cake/
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160818232537/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/people-and-culture/food/the-plate/2016/08/meet-the-rhode-island-clam-cake/
|url-status= dead
|archive-date= August 18, 2016
|title= Meet the Clam Cake
|accessdate= 2018-03-09
|date= August 17, 2016
|first= Meredith
|last= Bethune
|publisher= National Geographic
}}
{{Cuisine of New England}}