How Many Clams?

[Andy M.]

My daughter is planning a cookout in mid-August. She will be serving steamed clams. steak tips. burgers and dogs and the prerequisite array of side dishes and salads.

My question is the quantity of clams to plan for each person. She expects about 20 people. I'm clueless because I'm allergic to clams and, as a result, never deal with them.

Your assistance is appreciated.

[pdswife]

I buy a pound of clams and a pound of muscles for Paul and I and it works out pretty well.

[VeraBlue]

Clams come in a variety of sizes...steamers are fairly large. Is the plan to steam/stuff them? Or simply eat them off the shell with a bit of sauce?

Assuming 1/3 of the crowd won't eat them....and it's probably closer to half, but I always err on the side of way too much food...I'd make 4 dozen, but 3 dozen will surely be enough.

[Andy M.]

Originally Posted by VeraBlue

Clams come in a variety of sizes...steamers are fairly large. Is the plan to steam/stuff them? Or simply eat them off the shell with a bit of sauce?

Assuming 1/3 of the crowd won't eat them....and it's probably closer to half, but I always err on the side of way too much food...I'd make 4 dozen, but 3 dozen will surely be enough.

Thanks, Vera! The clams will not be stuffed, just steamed and served with a sauce.

[pacanis]

Three dozen for twenty people (assuming 1/3 won't eat them)?
I'd plan for the pigs. There will be some people who will probably go to town on them. Assuming they are made like appetizers and eat like the people In know.
I can easily down a dozen cherrynecks if I know I won't be eating for ten minutes....
Muscles would be cheaper and are sweeter IMO.

[buckytom]

lol, i thought you were asking how much the entire cookout would cost at first...
i'd go with about 6 little necks per person, or 3 - 4 cherrystones. if you're making soft shell, or pi$$ clams, it depends on the size. the same ratios with smaller to larger soft shells would work.

i agree with vb that about 1/3rd won't eat them, but also with pacanis that they go down easily to others, so in my estimation you're talking 7 dozen littlenecks, or 4 dozen cherrystones.

[Maverick2272]

I also agree with Pacanis on the Muscles, and BT on the amount. I think you will find they go faster than you think they will. As VB said 'steamers' are somewhat larger, so at least 5 dozen I would say if you get the larger ones, 7 dozen if you get the smaller ones.
Interesting terminology: cherrystones, cherrynecks, littlenecks, LOL all new to me!

[buckytom]

lol, never heard of a cherryneck.
the sizes of eastern hardshell clams goes, from smaller to larger: countnecks, little necks, top necks, cherrystones, and finally quahogs.

countnecks are smaller then a quarter, and quahogs are as big as your hand.

[pacanis]

Originally Posted by buckytom

so in my estimation you're talking 7 dozen littlenecks, or 4 dozen cherrystones.

Or that hybrid I invented last night, the cherryneck clam Sheesh

[GotGarlic]

I know it's bad form to correct spelling, but I have this horrible vision of people chewing on the muscles in their arms The shellfish are mussels.