New England Clambake

By: Maureen Callahan

The flavors of a classic New England clambake will transport your guests to seafood heaven whether you choose the traditional route or take a few shortcuts.

Add a Nautical Theme

Send out invitations decorated with fishing tackle or seashell charms to let folks get in the mood.
Cover tables with newspaper, grass mats, or a red and white checked summer tablecloth. Secure undersides with masking tape to prevent slipping.
Strew nautical items like seashells, fishnet, heavy rope, bleached starfish, and lanterns across tables along with necessary tools like lobster bibs and crackers.
Use plastic beach pails to catch discarded clam, mussel, or lobster shells.
Set up a net for beach volleyball and add a few colorful beach balls for kicking around. Bring along plenty of sunscreen, towels, and extra swimming gear so partygoers can cool off in the ocean or a backyard pool.
Add a soothing soundtrack of crashing waves and ocean sounds to provide seaside background music.

Digging a Pit

An authentic clambake involves not just clams, lobster, and ears of corn, but also requires plenty of seaweed, salty sea water, and a sandy area just perfect for digging. For this recipe, first find a beach that permits open pit cooking.

Firehouse Clam Bake New England Style

Stovetop Clambake

Digging a pit sound like too much work? Try steaming everything on the stovetop. Instead of taking a whole day to prepare, your clambake is ready in just one hour.

Clam Bake

A Newfangled Clambake

Don't have a pot big enough to hold a clambake for your size crowd? Try pulling traditional ingredients together using the stovetop and outdoor grill.

Steam the clams and chorizo together on the stove to keep with tradition. Add mussels to the recipe if you like.
Switch out whole lobster for lobster tails; steam them in beer or sear them on the grill.
Grill corn and potato sides.
Top the meal off with a favorite summer dessert like watermelon, peanut butter pie, or the less sweet but more traditional Indian pudding.

Have Some Chowdah

Most traditional clambakes start off with a bowl of creamy bowl of clam chowder (pronounced as "chowdah" by New England natives). If it's a hot day, soup might not be popular, but it's a perfect appetizer for a cool summer evening.