National Clam Chowder Day

Jon SullivanThe original uploader was Y6y6y6 at English Wikipedia. [Public domain]

February 25th is National Clam Chowder Day in the United States.

The clam is a type of marine bivalve mollusc, although what exactly is being described as a clam does vary from region to region, and not all of them are edible. It is believed they were added to the chowder because they were easy to harvest.

The chowder is a type of seafood or vegetable stew. Most clam chowders originate along the eastern seaboard of the United States, particularly New England, with the precise ingredients in the chowders varying from region to region. Whilst the majority of clam chowders may originate in the north eastern U.S., they do stretch all the way down to Florida, and that last type actually originates from the island of Minorca in the Mediterranean.

Clam chowders contain, naturally, clams, as well as broth. The chowder is also usually thickened, using ingredients such as saltine crackers, ship biscuit and flour. Other ingredients are added to the dish as well. The most common of these is diced potatoes, as well as onions. The latter may be sautéed in salt pork or bacon drippings. Vegetables may be added, with celery being the most common, but sometimes carrot strips might be added, mostly for the colour. New England chowders are generally thicker, as they are cream or milk based. A bill making it illegal to add tomatoes to a New England chowder was introduced to the Maine legislature. Other regions may have more vegetables.

Clam chowders are served with such as oyster crackers and saltine crackers.