Razor Clams are plentiful along the beaches of Skerries when there is a very low tide. If the legend is true, St. Patrick certainly would have dined on the razor clams for which Skerries is famous.
Skerries Razor Clams
This is a dish that all the family and friends can become involved in - a razor clam hunt for dinner. Simply choose a beach in a clean area. Skerries on Dublin’s coast is a perfect example. In fact, the locals call the rocks that are only visible at very low tides - “Razor Rocks”. Prepare a solution of saturated salted water in a sports drink bottle. Look for the oval shaped dimples of the Razor clam burrows at low water tide. Squirt the solution into several burrows in close proximity. The clams should quickly rise to the surface. Stand in seawater for a few hours to purge them of sand. Cooking the razor clams is really simple and the meat is uniquely sweet.
Servings 4 people
Ingredients
- 4 Razor fish per portion
- 1 Crushed clove of garlic
- 4 Leaves of Basil (chopped)
- 3 Sprigs of Parsley (chopped)
- 1 Knob of unsalted butter
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Ensure the razors are purged of sand.
- To take the fish from their shells, gently warm the shellfish in water until the shells begin to open.
- Remove from the water take all the white asparagus-shaped meat out. The spear should still be alive and pulsing. Discard any that are not.
- Clean the shells and place the live spears on the shells. Arrange 2-4 shells per portion on a serving plate.
- In a pan, melt the unsalted butter. Add the crushed garlic, basil and parsley and sweat for 2 mins. Drizzle this over the arranged plated shellfish.
- Place the plated dish under a preheated grill for a short time until the butter mixture is bubbling and cooking the spears. This is the critical point. If cooked too much the fish will be tough and rubbery. The reward for getting it just right is sensational.
- Serve with Brown Bread and Sauvignon Blanc or a glass of Guinness.
Notes
Like many places, the fishing village of Skerries on Dublin’s coast lays claim to a strong St. Patrick’s connection. Legend has it that the Saint founded his first church on St. Patrick’s Island, just off the Skerries coastline. What I can say for sure is that Razor Clams are plentiful along the beaches of Skerries when there is a very low tide. If the legend is true, St. Patrick certainly would have dined on the razor clams for which Skerries is famous.