Besides, oysters and clams can be sources of allergy and intoxication for people with reduced immune system, especially for children and pregnant women. Are you big fan of seafood? How about a little comparison between clams and oysters? Both clam and oyster are bivalves — shellfish with two part shell and two muscles. They have been around over million years ago. People have been eating them for at least years. Although both belong to the Mollusk class and similar in a variety of ways, there are a plenty of differences between them.
Did you know that clams are usually live in fresh water, more mobile and move around on their muscle foot burying themselves in the mud or sand under the water?
On the other hand, oysters live in salt water. Except for first weeks of their initial stages, when oysters still have a muscle foot, they are mainly attached to the same spot such a hard surface or a rock in the water for the entire life. They prefer to stay to the water surface and we can easily notice them on the mud when it is low tide.
Clam has a shiny and smooth shell , whereas oysters shell is more calcified and rough. Both are used as a food in many countries, but preferred one is clam due to its taste and tenderness. Besides, oysters are known for producing pearls , while calms do not. Pearl is formed, when oyster produces nacre, the mix of calcium and protein, against the foreign matter trapped in the shell. You can easily notice from the charts below that oyster is enormously richer in Copper and Zinc, considerably richer in Iron and Magnesium, and lower in Sodium.
On the other side, claim is richer in Phosphorus, Potassium and Calcium. Thus, oyster wins in this content. From the viewpoint of vitamins claim is undoubted winner. However oyster is higher in folic acid.
Amount of Vitamin B1 is equal. In this part claim is medal-holder again with its higher concentration of protein, lower content of saturated fats, cholesterol and carbohydrates. High levels of Zinc in oysters contribute to good eyesight by ensuring adequate pigmentation in the retina, skin, nail and hair reparation by creating and boosting collagen. It is worth mentioning the role of Zinc in right function of immune system and cell growth. Zinc also prevents against inflammation as an antioxidant.
In addition, Zinc is essential for the sexual health , because it plays great role in a proper formation and development of germ cells, in production of sexual hormones. On the other hand, clams with high content of Calcium, and Phosphorus protect against osteoporosis.
Clam is richer enough in Vitamin C that famous for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Besides, folic acid reduces the levels of homocysteine in the blood, high levels of which contribute to formation of atherosclerotic plaques and damage of blood vessels, increasing by this way the risk of heart attack.
From the very start it is necessary to point out that clams and oysters are filter-feeders, which means they use their gills to filter water and collect nutrients. So depends on where they have been harvested, there is a risk to pick up bacteria and viruses.
Try grilling scallops and other shellfish too. Clams are found in freshwater and are also sometimes eaten raw, but are also great candidates for grilling, frying and breading. Eventually, you may work your way up to geoduck clams. Mussels are also shellfish staples: these bivalves cook quickly and absorb the flavor of the broth, sauce, or mignonette that you prepare them with.
This basic steamed mussel recipe includes instructions for cleaning them too. Oysters are the saltwater mollusks known for producing pearls. Oysters can be prepared in almost any manner possible, but should be eaten alive or consumed quickly after cooking. Not unlike wine, oysters are often described as gaining their flavor from their environment.
Ready to start experimenting with shellfish? Take the plunge and check out these seven recipes for clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops:. A rich vodka sauce serves a great base for this pasta and scallops dish.
Season with some lemon and herbs for a perfect meal. Get our Seared Scallops with Lemon and Vodka recipe. The diced bacon cooks quickly but save the fat for a flavorful base in which to sear the scallops. Prosecco adds a lovely fizz to the champagne vinegar mignonette with finely chopped shallots, freshly ground black pepper, salt, and the most important ingredient: freshly shucked oysters.
Get our Oysters with Prosecco Mignonette recipe. This makes them the largest burrowing clams in existence. Also known as quahogs, two main varieties exist. There are the Northern quahogs that live in the intertidal zones of the Atlantic coast between the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of St. These have shells that measure anywhere between 1. There are also the Southern quahogs found in the intertidal zones between the West Indies and the Chesapeake Bay.
These can grow up to six inches long. Also known as ocean quahogs, these clams are found in the North Atlantic region, particularly around Maine.
Their shell shape is round and is typically dark brown or black. They reach maturity after six years and can live for up to They have a much stronger flavor compared to their hard clam cousins and are well suited to making pasta dishes.
Also known as steamer clams on the West Coast, these mollusks are a type of small, hard-shell clam found in the Pacific Ocean. They have a sweet flavor and are less briny compared to other clam varieties.
These have brittle shells that gape open. Pacific razor clams have oval-shaped shells with long, protruding siphons. They are sweet and tender and can be eaten raw. On the other hand, Atlantic razors have a milder flavor compared to their Pacific counterparts and have shells that measure up to eight inches long. They are best grilled or steamed.
These have thin, brittle, oval-shaped shells that are grayish-white in color with long siphons. They can grow up to six inches long and are best steamed or deep-fried and served with butter.
The larger clams are great for making chowder. Surfs account for about 33 percent of the clams harvested in the US. They live in deep water and are mainly found off the coast of New Jersey.
0コメント