How to Clean a Geoduck Clam

Deep holes must be dug to remove geoducks from the sand.

Geoducks (pronounced gooey duck) are the longest-living and largest burrowing clams in the world. Adult geoducks typically weigh two to three pounds and can live for up to 145 years. The name geoduck comes from a Nisqually Indian word, meaning "dig deep." Anyone can learn how to clean geoduck clams.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp kitchen knife
• Cold water
• Ice
• Kosher salt or sea salt
• Hot water

Instructions

1. 

   Always use cold water when cleaning geoduck clams.

   Wash the live geoduck thoroughly in cold water to remove any sediment from the body and shell.

2. 

   Sharp knives make cleaner cuts than dull ones.

   Remove the shell by carefully running a sharp knife between the shell and the body. Start at the siphon end and move towards the back of the clam.

3. Remove the clam's stomach and other internal organs. This is the circular mass between the siphon and the body. The organs can be discarded or used in chowders and soups.

4. 

   Tea kettles are a convenient way to heat water for cleaning.

   Remove the skin from the siphon by dipping it in hot, but not boiling, water. Hot water can also be poured over the clam. The skin will visibly loosen, and can then be peeled off in one piece.

5. 

   Use very cold and salty water to finish cleaning the geoduck.

   Remove bits of skin and sediment by washing the geoduck in salted ice water. This serves two purposes---it cleans the clam and stops any cooking done by the application of hot water.

6. 

   Geoduck sashimi is eaten with soy sauce and wasabi.

   Separate the siphon from the body. The siphon is often thinly sliced and served as sashimi, but can also be cooked in the same manner as other clams. The body is usually cooked and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Tips & Warnings

• When transporting a geoduck, it should be wrapped in a cool, damp cloth to prevent desiccation and death.

• Expose the geoduck to hot water for only a short period of time, to prevent the meat from becoming tough.

References

• Underwater Harvester's Association
• Hama Hama Oyster Blog
• YouTube: Top Chef Shows How To Clean a Geoduck
• Merriam-Webster Online: Geoduck

Resources

• Geoduck Recipes