“Autumn Rains” Spicy Stewed Clams

I’m not sure why a lusty dish such as this is called by the gentle and poetic name “autumn rains” (shiguré in Japanese), but it is. Shiguré ni is a classic style of stewing food in an intense gingery soy sauce, and for centuries it has been a common means of food preservation in Japan. Although no longer essential thanks to modern refrigeration, it’s still a delicious way to cook clams. Littlenecks are particularly tasty when prepared in the shiguré ni fashion, though s