littleneck

Thân thiện

A chef shucks a fresh littleneck at the seafood bar.

Definition

Noun: 1. A small, young hard clam (quahog): A littleneck is a specific size and life stage of the hard-shell clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), also known as a quahog. It is characterized by its small, young, and tender state. 2. A type of seafood often eaten raw: This clam is commonly consumed raw, typically on the half-shell, and is noted as a popular food item in certain regions.

Examples of Usage

Advanced Usage

• "Littleneck clam": The full, more descriptive term for the shellfish.
  • The bay is famous for its harvest of littleneck clams.

Variants and Related Words

• Quahog / Quahaug (noun): The general name for the adult hard-shell clam species (), of which the littleneck is a young, small size grade. Larger sizes are often called cherrystones and chowder clams.
• Cherrystone (noun): A slightly larger size grade of the same hard-shell clam (), often used for cooking or eating raw.

Synonyms

• Hard clam
• Hard-shell clam
• (Small) quahog

Related Phrases

• On the half-shell: A common serving method for raw littlenecks, where the clam is opened and served resting on one of its shells.
  • The best way to enjoy their freshness is to eat littlenecks on the half-shell with a squeeze of lemon.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a young quahog
2. a quahog when young and small; usually eaten raw; an important food popular in New York

Từ đồng nghĩa

• littleneck clam