Littleneck Clam

Littleneck clams are the juvenile stage of the hard-shell clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) harvested before reaching full size, most commonly farmed or wild-harvested along the US East Coast from New England to the Gulf of Mexico. The smaller size produces a more tender, sweeter clam with a thinner shell. Littlenecks are primarily eaten raw on the half shell or steamed, making them a fresh market product. In tinned form, chopped and minced clam products from the hard-shell clam fishery appear from New England producers including Bar Harbor Foods. The name littleneck is sometimes applied to small Manila clams or other species on the US West Coast, causing naming confusion.