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Home » Spanish » Spicy Spanish Clams

Spicy Spanish Clams

By Hank Shaw on July 7, 2015, Updated December 28, 2020 - 4 Comments

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5 from 2 votes
Spanish spicy clams
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Spanish spicy clams
Photo by Holly A. Heyser

Clams, tomato and chiles are a classic combination for a reason. Everything here works super well, and, when you eat spicy clams with bread in one hand and a fork in another, makes a memorable lunch, light supper or appetizer.

I am indebted to the late Penelope Casas for this recipe, a version of which is in her book The Foods and Wines of Spain. This is traditionally served as a tapa, or small plate, although Holly and I ate it as our main course the other night.

Normally I like to talk about keys to success with a recipe, but this one is so easy it’s hard to mess up. Only tip I can offer is to watch the clams, and if you want them to be as tender as they can be, pluck each one from the simmering broth as it opens — there’s always one or two clams that are stubborn, and waiting for them all to open can overcook the first to submit. Cockles are notorious for this.

As an alternative way to serve your spicy clams, you can steam open all the clams, remove them from their shells, and use everything as a sauce for pasta or rice, or serve it over polenta.

I used Tabasco’s habanero hot sauce here, but any hot sauce will do. And you want a hot sauce because the vinegar in it balances all the flavors. Of course, you could use chiles and vinegar, too. Cayenne and sherry vinegar would be a good choice if you go that route.

Spicy Spanish clams recipe
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5 from 2 votes

Spanish Spicy Clams

Any small clam will work here, but little hardshell clams would be traditional. I'm thinking Eastern littlenecks or cherrystones, Manila clams, venus clams, Western littlenecks (what I used) or cockles. You definitely want to serve this with crusty bread and a dry rosé wine.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Spanish
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 143kcal
Author: Hank Shaw

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, sliced root to tip
  • 4 garlic cloves, sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2/3 cup white or rosé wine
  • 30 to 40 small hardshell clams
  • 4 to 6 canned whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • Hot sauce to taste

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan that has a lid. Cook the onions over medium heat until they soften; don't brown them. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and cook this for a minute or so, then stir in the wine. Add the clams and crush the canned tomatoes over them. Cover the pan and turn the heat to medium-high. Let the clams steam in this broth until they all open. Discard any that stay closed.
  • Uncover the pan and add the parsley, then the hot sauce. Swirl to combine and serve at once.

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 720mg | Potassium: 915mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 905IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 5mg
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Filed Under: Appetizers and Snacks, Featured, Fish, Recipe, Spanish

Avatar for Hank Shaw

Hank Shaw

Hey there. Welcome to Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, the internet's largest source of recipes and know-how for wild foods. I am a chef, author, and yes, hunter, angler, gardener, forager and cook. Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Amber BourneAmber Bourne says

    July 20, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    It’s like you’re on our vacation with us! Just found your site while looking up wild sweet peas on Texada island BC. We’re surrounded by blackberries and little neck clams so are going to try your recipes at our campsite today.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for WineandSeamsWineandSeams says

    July 8, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    Would it be better to concassé your own tomatoes or is there a reasreason for using canned ones? Is it a flavour thing or textural? Looks delicious though.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Hank ShawHank Shaw says

      July 8, 2015 at 4:55 pm

      Wine: You could concasse your own, sure, but good canned, peeled ones are almost as good — and a lot easier.

      Reply

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Hi, my name is Hank Shaw; I’m a James Beard Award-winning author and chef. I started this site back in 2007 to help you get the most out of all things wild: fish, game, edible wild plants and mushrooms. I also write cookbooks, have a website dedicated to the intersection of food and nature, and do a podcast, too. If it’s wild, you’ll find it here. Hope you enjoy the site!

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