May be 8 cm across. Light in colour (yellowish or greyish) but often with a darker mark in the middle of the shell. The shell is marked by fine lines in both directions, i.e. round the shell and also fanning out from the hinge.
CUISINE The palourde is greatly esteemed by the French. It is good eaten raw with lemon juice, but may also be cooked. Be careful to sluice away any fine sand remaining inside the shell.
