Steaming clams, are they dead?

Question

We bought some clams at the fish market this morning and I made some salt water for them to soak in in the fridge. After a few hours we came back and they are slightly open with their tongues sticking out. That's what it looks like...something sticking out of them. Is that normal? I have never prepared clams before.

Answer 1

that is normal you need you cook em after they all open.. they will die shortly thereafter and you don't want em to sit dead for long...



that is called spitting and if they don't do that they are sandy

Answer 2

as a rule, you should cook them immediately. When raw discard those who are open and when cooked, discard those who are closed. (That works for all shellfish). Usually this happen when the clam opens "to see what's going on" and loses its salt water.

Answer 3

Clams Tongue

Answer 4

The "tongue"is actually the siphon that is used to filter water. It is normal.It means they are alive and should be cooked or eaten, clams die and spoil very quickly.

Answer 5

you need to tap them if they do not close discard them