NATIONAL CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL DAY
National Clams on the Half Shell Day on March 31st offers clam lovers a day to celebrate one of the world’s most unique dishes.
#ClamsOnTheHalfShellDay
The best variety of hardshell clams (also called Quahogs) for serving on the half-shell is the topneck, but you will find recipes using littlenecks and cherrystone as well. The topnecks run about two inches across, and the meaty clam is enough for a bite-sized morsel of Atlantic saltwater goodness.
Clams on the half shell can be raw, steamed, grilled or even smoked.
One popular “on the half shell” recipe originated in Rhode Island. Often served as an appetizer, Clams Casino is a dish with toasted breadcrumbs and bacon. Legend has it the recipe for Clam Casino dates back to 1917 and the Little Casino in Narragansett, Rhode Island. According to Good Housekeeping Great American Classics, maître d’hôtel Julius Keller and Mrs. Paran Stevens developed clams casino for her guests, as she wanted to serve up something special and named it after the hotel. The dish soon became so successful, word spread, and it began appearing on menus across the nation.
HOW TO OBSERVE CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL DAY
National Clams on the Half Shell Day is easy to celebrate! Get steaming or grilling, depending on your preferences. Clam lovers dig in and show the rest of the crowd what they’ve been missing! Demonstrate the best way to enjoy them, the flavors and side dishes, too. Order up your favorite clam on the half shell meal. Then, give the restaurant a shout-out.
Use #ClamsOnTheHalfShellDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CLAMS ON THE HALF-SHELL DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues to research the origins National Clams on the Half Shell Day. It seems all clammed up about it. Either way, we’ll keep digging for more information and keep you posted.
Clams on the Half Shell FAQ
Q. Are clams only served on the half shell?
A. No. Clams are served in many dishes without the shell at all. For example, clam chowder is a delicious soup.
Q. What other seafood is served on the half shell?
A. Oysters are another seafood served on the half shell.
Q. Can clams be frozen?
A. Yes. In fact, they can be frozen either on or off the half shell.
March 31st Celebrated History
1836
Charles Dickens publishes the first issue of the Pickwick Papers.
1880
Electric lights illuminate Wabash, Indiana. Electricians install four of Charles F. Brush’s 3,000 candlepower lamps atop the courthouse. Once lit they cast a brilliant glow across the city. Because of this, Wabash lays claim to being the first in the world to be entirely lit with electric light. However, historians find the use of the word “first” to lack authenticity or accuracy.
1943
Oklahoma! opens on Broadway. The Rogers and Hammerstein production would run for five years and although it won no awards (none existed at the time) the show was a critical and popular success.
1918
The first daylight saving time begins in the United States. This is where the madness started.
March 31st Celebrated Birthdays
Robert Wilhelm Eberhard von Bunsen – 1811
In 1855, the German chemist introduced the single flame open gas burner commonly used for heating, sterilizing, and combustion in laboratories.
Octavio Paz – 1914
The Mexican poet and author of the essay The Labyrinth of Solitude gained worldwide acclaim for his literature. Throughout his lifetime, his literary prowess has been recognized, most notably with the 1977 National Prize for Arts and Literature in Linguistics and Literature, the 1981 Miguel de Cervantes Prize, the 1982 Neustadt International Prize for Literature, and the 1990 Nobel Prize.
Gordie Howe – 1928
The ambidextrous right wing played a phenomenal 26 seasons in the National Hockey League. In 1973, Howe signed a contract to play for the World Hockey League continuing his professional career another seven years. During his entire career, Howe’s performance logged records that in some cases remain unbroken. He is considered one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest NHL Players and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
Cesar Chavez – 1927
A former migrant farmworker, Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association. The organization would later become the United Farm Workers of America and under Chavez’s guidance, it would gain higher wages and benefits for workers.
Liz Claiborne – 1929
The pioneering women’s fashion designer launched Liz Claiborne, Inc. on January 19, 1976, with Arthur Ortenberg, Leonard Boxer, and Jerome Chazen. Claiborne’s designs targeted the business woman’s need for easy-wear fashion appropriate for the office.
Herb Alpert – 1935
The award-winning trumpeter co-founded A&M records in the 1960s with Jerry Moss. He was also the leader of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. His foundation established The Herb Alpert Award in the Arts rewarding risk-taking artists in a variety of fields.
Rhea Perlman – 1948
Rhea Perlman is the four-time Emmy-winning actress from the sitcom Cheers. Her previous role was playing opposite Danny DeVito in Taxi.
Angus Young – 1955
In 1973, the energetic guitarist co-founded the Australian rock band AC/DC.
Notable Mentions
Mary Chestnut – 1823
Lizzie Miles – 1895
Shirley Jones – 1934
Richard Chamberlain – 1934
Christopher Walken – 1943
Ewan McGregor – 1971
Evan Williams – 1972