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Cannolicchio, Cappalunga
Razor-shell
Appears in
By Antonio Carluccio and Priscilla Carluccio
Published 1997
This is a very peculiar mollusc which has two shells shaped like an old-fashioned cut-throat razor. It lives on the bottom of sandy sea beds and is quite difficult to fish because it sits in an upright position and the sharp shells can cut nets and hands. It is easiest to fish when the tide is low and you can gently pull the shells out of the sand.
Razor shells can reach 30 centimetres (1 foot) in length, but the smaller ones are more tender. They can be grilled, added to fish soups or used in seafood salads. They are usually sold in bundles and go for those that are heavy for their size. To get at the meat without cutting yourself on the shells the cannolicchi must first be steamed open in a pan with a little olive oil and water.