Geoducks

With its very long neck and equally long body, the geoduck (pronounced “gooey duck”) looks nothing like other clams. In this country, geoducks are found wild and farmed in the Pacific Northwest, especially around the Puget Sound. Considered a delicacy in many countries, they’re an important part of the commercial fishing industry in Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. Their meat is chewy and crunchy, with a briny flavor.

The geoduck has a very small shell (6 to 8 inches/15 to 20 cm for its body, which can stretch to over 3 feet/0.9 m long). Their average weight is about 7 pounds (3.2 kg), although some have been reported to be up to 14 pounds (6.3 kg)! For cooking, look for the smaller ones, around 3 pounds (1.4 kg).