Pacific Northwest Summers Are Made For Clambakes

If you haven’t ventured to the shores of the Puget Sound and gotten your hands dirty, now is the time.

For less than $15, Washington state residents can go shopping on the shores of Puget Sound for some of the best seafood around from April 1 through September 15. It’ll require a little more effort than your average stroll through the grocery store, but it’ll cost less and taste better. 

I’m talking about clamming. I recently took a trip to North Beach with license, bucket and hand trowel in tow. I happened to go along with some experienced clam-diggers, too, which helped a ton in finding the right digging spot. You'll also want to check a tide chart before you plan the outing. The lower the tide, the better.

It didn’t take long for all eight of us to reach our limit of 40 clams each (up to 10 pounds). I’d recommend a shopping trip to stock up on the fixings before the outing. If not, the clams won’t mind the stopover.

I love clambakes for the simple fact that they’re quick and easy. Here’s the basic formula:

• Bunch chopped green onions
• 1 head of garlic, chopped
• olive oil
• white wine or light beer (such as a lager or pilsner)
• 2.5 lbs small new potatoes
• 1.5 lbs kielbasa or andouille sausage (sliced)
• 4-6 ears of corn (halved)
• 8 dozen clams
• 4 lbs shrimp
• 1 cup butter, melted

Directions:

Chop green onions and garlic, add to 30-quart pot with olive oil and sausage over medium heat until browned. Add ½ bottle wine or one beer. Add potatoes and corn and cover for 5 minutes. Add clams, cover and steam for 10 minutes, or until clams open.

While clams are steaming, melt butter and pour into dipping dishes.

Honestly, we Googled some recipes and made it up as we went with the ingredients on hand. You can’t go wrong with fresh shellfish, butter and beer or wine.

Directions: From Tacoma, drive north on Highway 16 past Gig Harbor; take Highway 302 west past Purdy and continue about 1.3 miles past Victor Rd. to powerlines crossing the bay. Look for the signed parking area on the west (left) side of the highway just north of the power lines. 

Parking: A Discover Pass is required; however, the official parking lot on the left is small. Do not park along the road to the north or south. It is a state highway and you will likely get a $20 ticket. Opt for the $5 parking on the right side of the road.

Facilities: No frills with two porta-potties. They were clean, but out of toilette paper, so pack some tissues and hand sanitizer just in case.

License info: https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/wdfw/licenses.html