Northern Quahogs

Hard-shell clams, commonly known as quahogs (from the Narragansett word poquauhock), come in two main varieties: Northern quahogs and Southern quahogs. The Northern quahogs are also known as Atlantic hard-shell clams. These gray-white clams are found on the Atlantic coast from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the north to the Gulf of Mexico. They have different names depending on their size:

• Littlenecks are the smallest of this group, and about 2 inches (5 cm) wide. Named after Little Neck Bay on Long Island, they are small and tender which makes them ideal for eating raw on the half shell or quickly steamed.
• Cherrystones are next in size, about 2½ inches (6 cm) wide. These are great grilled, raw, or stuffed.
• Chowder clams are the largest northern quahog. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm) across, they’re pretty tough so are not eaten raw; instead, they’re cooked and chopped for chowders.