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New England Clambake - A Treasure From The Sea

by Matthew Lewis

New England clambake is a great tradition that has been handed down for thousand and thousands of years. Everyone who savors the conventional method of preparing sea food such as lobsters, mussels, crabs and clams, will definitely love clambake on the beach. This type of cooking is typically held on joyous occasions, like New year eve along the New England coast. The cooking of the New England clambake starts out by making a pit in the beach sand and then laying smooth stones in the center of the pit.

Once you are at the seashore, make a hole in the sand that is two feet wide, four feet long, and a foot and a half deep. Line it with stones, then build a good fire in it and cover it with more rocks, leaving just enough air space to allow the fire to burn and heat the stones for two to three more hours. When the time is up, remove the resulting ashes and place the topping stones down in the pit, spacing them evenly all around. Cover the heated stones with newly moistened seaweed.

The food should be quickly layered on top of the seaweed in even layers in the following order: first clams, then mussels, fish, sausage, hotdogs covered in cheesecloth, onions, potatoes both white and sweet, corn, then the last layer is lobster. Take a clean, wet cloth, and wrap up the food, then place the leftover seaweed over the top of the canvas.

Using a wet tarp over the top of it all will steam the food by confining the steam given off by the hot rocks and seaweed. Make sure there are a few gaps to allow the release of pressure. Cook it for at least an hour. You'll know it's done when the potatoes are soft. Serve it with melted butter and lobster crackers.

The New England lobster clambake is a tradition, whether you cook it in your backyard or buy it pre-made from a grocery store. There are caterers who specialize in the production of this delicacy. If your lobster clambake is meant to be for a family get together, you might consider learning how to make this dish at home. If it's for a wedding, a caterer may be the best option. And if it is for a gift, perhaps a pre-made gift basket will suit your needs.

Natives to Cape Cod have enjoyed New England clambake since the 1600s. The Native American tribe prepares the clam bake as part of their heritage and sacred festivities. Today, clambakes are store bought and are a great convenience to those who do not wish to wait. Families thoroughly enjoy this treat. The meal consists of lobster, steamed clams, corn, potato, and coleslaw.

New England clambake is a great tradition that has been handed down for thousand and thousands of years. Everyone who savors the conventional method of preparing sea food such as lobsters, mussels, crabs and clams, will definitely love clambake on the beach. This type of cooking is typically held on joyous occasions, like New year eve along the New England coast. The cooking of the New England clam bake starts out by making a pit in the beach sand and then laying smooth stones in the center of the pit. A lobster clambake can be cooked in your yard in a metal can.

Published December 25th, 2007

Filed in Family