What Is Shucking?

The dictionary definition of shucking is to remove the outer skin of something. Some foods that can be shucked include clams, oysters and corn. Shucking corn is easy and can become a family event. In contrast, shucking clams and oysters is not always a simple task. Shucking shellfish can be dangerous if a person does not take precautions in handling them. However, if proper care is taken, the results are usually worth the effort.

Tools for the Job

To properly shuck an oyster or a clam, you need a quality kitchen towel, an oyster knife or clam knife, and a bowl to catch any liquid spillover from the clam or oyster. If possible, obtain a glove designed for shucking. If you can't get a knife made for shucking, a regular butter knife may work for clams and a paring knife may work for oysters.

Clams vs. Oysters

You need a sharp knife or other sharp point to pry into an oyster shell, while clams have shells that can be more easily separated. Keep clams and oysters chilled until you are ready to shuck them. Wash the shells before shucking. Running cold water over the clams and oysters can be a good way to determine if they are good or bad. If open shells remain open, these shellfish are usually bad and need to be thrown away.

Opening the Clam

One side of the clam shell generally juts farther out than the other. This is a good side to use as a starting point to open the clam. Take the kitchen towel and cover your hand, or wear the shucking glove. Then, putting the clam on the palm of hand, place the knife blade between the top and bottom shell and open. Keep the bowl handy to catch any liquid.

Opening the Oyster

Some people consider oysters more stubborn to open than clams. As with the clam, wear the glove or put the towel over your hand, with the oyster placed on the palm. The knife is generally placed at the narrower end of the oyster and twisted in a forward motion until the oyster shell opens. Have a bowl ready to catch any liquid that drips.

Getting to the Meat

The meat of the clam is seen as soon as the shell is opened. It can be easily removed by severing the meat's connection with the shell. For an oyster, it is usually most efficient to run the knife up the side of the oyster shell. This can help to loosen the meat inside from the shell.

Shucking (or Husking) Corn

Corn is another food that is shucked before it is eaten. Shucking corn is easy: Hold the ear of corn in one hand, grab the top of the husk with the other hand and pull down. Pull the husk off piece by piece, similar to the way you peel a banana. It's best to have a garbage bag close by in which to put the discarded husks and silks.

Silk

The silk is the threadlike strands under the husk. It is sometimes more easily removed by running water over the corn cob. The silk that isn't removed by water may be pulled off by hand, although it can be time consuming.