[How to freeze and store clams to improve nutrition] How to freeze and thaw clams and 5 recipes!

Would you like to know how to freeze and preserve clams deliciously?

From early spring to summer, there are more opportunities to go clam hunting or see clams on sale at supermarkets.

While having lots of clams is great, it can be difficult to store them because they don't last long.

Clams can be stored deliciously in the freezer with their shells still on.

​If you are worried that the shells won't open when you defrost them, or if you're worried that frozen clams won't taste as good, please read this article.

We'll also introduce how to freeze clams in a delicious way, what to keep in mind when thawing them, and some recommended recipes.

Advantages of freezing clams

Increases flavor components

​Succinic acid, the main umami component contained in clams, increases when they are frozen.

Raw clams have their umami components trapped within their cells, making it difficult for them to produce any umami flavor.

Freezing freezes the water and breaks down the cells, making it easier for the umami ingredients to come out and improving the taste.

Can be stored for a long time

By freezing clams, you can store them for a long time.

Clams, which are fresh, will only last for about 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.

Even if you store it well, it will lose weight over time.

If you have collected a lot of clams and can't eat them all, or if you bought them at a bargain price but can't eat them right away, we recommend freezing them.

How to freeze clams

How to remove salt from clams

If you freeze clams, you won't be able to remove the sand.

Before freezing, prepare the food by removing sand and salt.

1) Make salt water with a salt concentration of 3%.

If you add 30ℊ of salt to 1L of water, it will become 3% salt water.

2) Place the clams in a flat-bottomed container such as a vat or frying pan filled with salted water, making sure not to overlap them.

Adjust the amount of water so that the clam heads are barely visible.

3) Cover the area with newspaper, etc. to make it dark, and leave it there for 3 hours to overnight to remove the sand.

4) Place the clams in a colander and leave for 1 hour to remove the salt.

5) Rub the clam shells together to remove dirt from the surface.

The steps up to this point are also necessary when using the clams raw, so please do it while the clams are still fresh and healthy.

How to freeze clams as they are

This is a convenient freezing method for storing food that requires little liquid, such as steamed rice or pasta.

1) Wipe off the moisture from the prepared clams with their shells still attached using kitchen paper.

2) Place them in a ziplock bag so they don't overlap and remove as much air as possible.

3) Freeze at the lowest possible temperature using a metal bat, aluminum foil, or cold insulation material.

You can freeze food even more deliciously by using rapid freezer of the refrigerator or increasing the freezer setting.

How to soak clams in water and freeze them

This is a way to freeze clams to keep them plump and delicious.

We recommend this freezing method when using for recipes that require a lot of juice.

1) Place the prepared clams with their shells still attached in a ziplock bag.

2) Add enough water to cover the gaps between the clams.

The lower the temperature of the water, the faster it will freeze, so use cold water or ice water.

3) Freeze as quickly as possible at a low temperature.

If you use metal bats, aluminum foil, ice packs, and freezer settings, you can freeze and preserve deliciously.

How to thaw frozen clams and storage period

How to thaw frozen clams

​Never let clams that have been frozen in their shells thaw naturally.

If frozen clams are thawed slowly, the cells in the scallops will be destroyed, making it impossible to open the shells even when heated.

If you cook the frozen clams all at once over high heat, the shells will open properly and you can enjoy them even if they have been frozen and thawed.

Place the frozen clams in boiling water with ice and heat over high heat until the shells open all at once.

Storage period of frozen clams

Frozen clams can be stored for 1 to 2 months.

Frozen clams are convenient because you can take out the amount you want to use, but they tend to dry out quickly, so use them as soon as possible.

The storage period will also change depending on the temperature change inside the freezer.

If the refrigerator is opened and closed frequently during the hot summer months, the shelf life will be shortened.

If the temperature of the freezer is kept constant, clams frozen with water can be stored for about 2 months.

A nutritionist explains! About the nutrition of clams

- Rich in iron to prevent anemia
Clams have a high iron content (3.8mg/100g)
High in heme iron iron deficiency anemia is effective.
It also contains vitamin B₁₂ (52.4μg/100g), which has hematopoietic properties. People with severe anemia and pregnant women Recommended for.

・Taurine relieves hangovers
Clams contain taurine.
Taurine lowers blood cholesterol, Prevent arteriosclerosis It has a function.
It also has the effect of improving the detoxification function of the liver, so taking it with you when drinking alcohol will protect your liver. Preventing hangovers is effective.

・Recommended is tomato stew
When cooked, clams contain plenty of umami and nutrients, so we recommend cooking them in soups or stews that allow you to take them with the broth.
In addition, the absorption rate of the iron contained in clams increases when taken together with vitamin C.
Make it into a stew with tomatoes, which contain a lot of vitamin C, or
It is even more effective if you sprinkle lemon on top of the dish.

☑あさりの見分け方のコツ
■殻の模様がはっきりしていて口を固く閉じているもの
→模様がぼやけ茶色くなっているものは鮮度が落ちている可能性があります。
■あさりを保管している水が透明なもの
→保管している水が白く濁っていると死んでしまっている可能性が高いです。
■いやなにおいがない
→あさりが悪くなっていると嫌なにおいがします（腐敗臭）

Nutritionist Ruri

Obtained nutritionist qualifications from Toita Women's Junior College and graduated from the same university. After graduating from Kyorin University, he also obtained a qualification as a food hygiene manager. Currently at Daybreak Co., Ltd., he oversees various food freezing experiments while disseminating food freezing information. My hobbies are traveling and hula dancing.

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5 easy recipes using frozen clams

Increase the flavor with frozen clams! easy clam chowder

☑〈材料2人分〉
・冷凍あさり　8粒
・水　100㎖
・白ワイン　25㎖
・コンソメ顆粒　3ℊ
・ベーコン　25ℊ
・玉ねぎ　小1個
・人参　小1本
・オリーブオイル　5ℊ
・薄力粉　15ℊ
・牛乳（または豆乳）　130㎖
・粉チーズ　お好みで
・あらびき黒コショウ　適量

<How to make>
1) Cut the vegetables and bacon into 5mm cubes.
You can add vegetables to your liking to make it even more delicious.
2) Heat olive oil in a pot and fry the bacon over low heat until the fat comes out.
3) Add vegetables and stir-fry until onions are translucent.
4) Add the flour little by little and stir-fry, being careful not to burn it.
5) Add water, wine, consommé, and milk and bring to a boil. Add the frozen clams and continue to cook over high heat, being careful not to burn them, until they open.
If you add water and use frozen clams, add water and adjust the amount while checking the situation later.
6) Turn off the heat, add the grated cheese, mix well, serve in a bowl, sprinkle with ground black pepper, and it's done.

Gentle on the stomach and warm! Frozen clams de warm noodles

☑〈材料3人分〉
・冷凍あさり　150ℊ
・油揚げ　1枚
・ねぎ　適量
✩水　900㏄
✩だしの素（顆粒）　小さじ3
✩みりん　小さじ3
✩しょう油　小さじ3
✩塩　小さじ1/2弱
・生姜（チューブ）　小さじ1/2
・片栗粉　大さじ3

<How to make>
1) Cut the fried tofu in half, then cut into 3mm wide pieces, and cut the green onions into easy-to-eat pieces.
2) Put the ingredients ✩ into a pot and heat it, then add the fried tofu. Once it boils, add the frozen clams and ginger and continue to cook over high heat until the shells open.
If using clams that have been frozen with added water, reduce the amount of water.
3) Dissolve potato starch in water (not listed) and add to thicken.
4) Place the hard-boiled somen noodles in a bowl, top with the clam filling, sprinkle with green onions, and it's done.

Easy to use in the microwave! Frozen clams steamed in sake

☑〈材料3人分〉
・冷凍あさり（大きめ）　30粒
・酒　大さじ1　
・塩コショウ　少々

<How to make>
1) Place frozen clams in a heat-resistant container and sprinkle sake all over.
2) Cover loosely with plastic wrap and heat in a 600 watt microwave for about 5 minutes.
3) Cook until the shells of the clams open, switching between the middle and the edges.
Please be careful as the shell will not open if you do not replace it quickly.
4) Sprinkle with salt and pepper and it's done.
If you use a silicone steamer, you won't have to worry about replacing it midway, which is convenient.

Enjoy frozen clam soup! soup pasta

☑〈材料1人分〉
・スパゲッティ　1人前
・冷凍あさり　お好みで
・ウェイパー　小さじ2～3
・水　280㏄
・七味唐辛子　お好みで

<How to make>
1) Boil the spaghetti in 1ℊ of salted water to al dente.
2) Pour a certain amount of water into a pot, bring to a boil, add the frozen clams and vapers, and continue to heat over high heat until the shells open.
If you use clams that have been frozen in water, reduce the amount of water.
3) Arrange in a bowl, sprinkle with shichimi if you like, and it's done.

No need for soup with frozen clams! Gentle miso soup

☑〈材料〉
・冷凍あさり　200g以上
・酒　お玉1杯弱
・水　適量
・味噌　適量
・たまり醤油　小さじ2～3

<How to make>
1) Boil the sake in a pot to evaporate the alcohol.
2) Add enough water to submerge the clams and bring to a boil.
3) Add frozen clams and continue to heat over high heat until the shells open.
If you put the lid on and shake it a little, the shell will open more easily.
4) Once the shell opens, add the desired amount of hot water.
If you overcook the clams, they will become hard, so be sure to add hot water instead of water.
5) Once it boils, turn off the heat, add the miso while stirring, and add the tamari soy sauce.
6) Pour it into a bowl and it's done.
If you like, sprinkle some green onions to add color and nutritional value.

Conclusion

How do you freeze clams and what are some recommended recipes?

If you freeze the clams with water, they will stay delicious and will not dry out.

When cooking frozen clams, the key is to heat them quickly.

By heating the frozen clams all at once, the shells will open properly.

Try freezing clams to improve their flavor and make them last longer.

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