Shellfish Handling, Storing, and Cooking

Enjoying delicious mollusks at home is a good motivation to learn about shellfish handling, storing, and cooking. Clams, oysters, and mussels each have a short shelf life, making freshness a must. At City Fish Market in Wethersfield CT, we provide the freshest seafood and encouragement for home cooks. Seafood is the leanest protein, and it is packed with magnificent health benefits. There are just a few extra considerations that come with the proper storage of mollusks. Below, learn essential tips for handling, storing, and cooking shellfish.

Handling Shellfish

At City Fish Market, we take pride in delivering superior-quality products, handling our fresh shellfish and clams with the utmost care to ensure the highest safety standards.

Proper handling of shellfish will help to prevent foodborne illnesses, such as vibrio infection or norovirus. Keep shellfish chilled from the time of harvesting or purchase. Bacteria will grow if the temperature of oysters, mussels, or clams rises, making the shellfish unsafe for consumption. Refrigerate shellfish immediately after purchase. Freeze shellfish if you aren’t going to eat it within 2 days, with some exceptions.

Storing Shellfish

Proper storage is slightly different for the various types of mollusks. However, in general, experts usually recommend eating shellfish on the day of purchase or delivery.

How to Properly Store Oysters

The following are specific to the storage of oysters to preserve flavor and freshness:

Recently harvested oysters that haven’t been shucked can retain freshness for up to two weeks when stored properly.
Proper storage of oysters relies on keeping them cold and limiting their exposure to air.
Keep in mind that once oysters are removed from their saltwater environment, they stop breathing and remain closed until they are shucked.
Cover shucked oysters with a damp cloth after placing them in a bowl or pan. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days before cooking.

Proper Storage of Mussels and Clams

In general, mussels can retain their freshness for up to 5 days, though it depends on when they are harvested and shipped. Clams, with the briefest shelf life, should be eaten within 48 hours. Tips for storing mussels and clams before cooking:

Place mussels or clams, unbagged, in an open container, which will allow for airflow.
Using a damp cloth, cover the mussels or clams.
Prepare and eat the mussels or clams within 1 or 2 days.

How to Cook Shellfish

Proper shellfish handling, storing, and cooking are procedures best appreciated when the finished product is eaten, of course. Oysters can be eaten raw, grilled, broiled, fried, or baked. Clams can be steamed, boiled, grilled, baked, or served raw on the half-shell. Mussels can be roasted, steamed, grilled, or boiled. Take your pick from many delicious online recipes for preparing mollusks, and be sure to explore our website’s recipe page for a full list of ideas. Here are a few simple recipes to enjoy oysters, clams, and mussels.

Get Your Fresh Shellfish at City Fish Market

Fresh mollusks are available in abundance at City Fish Market. Buying fresh ingredients is the first step in regard to shellfish handling, storing, and cooking. City Fish Market is also the place to find the freshest crustaceans such as lobsters, shrimp, and crab. When you shop for seafood at our retail counters at 884 Silas Deane Hwy, you can see the difference true freshness can make. You are likely to discover new temptations, such as fresh fish, including arctic char, catfish, trout, tilapia, flounder, swordfish, red snapper, salmon, and mahi mahi. These are guilt-free temptations!

If you can’t come by, don’t hesitate to call us or fill out our online form. We deliver!