Ingredients Seafood Shellfish Clam Rhode Island–Style Clam Stuffies 3.0 (1) 1 Review Quahogs, also known as chowder clams, are the Godzilla of the bivalve kingdom. As big as a fist, their meat is full of briny flavor but can be a bit tough when cooked. The solution? Steam and chop the clam meat before folding it into a stuffing with good company: Portuguese linguiça, red bell pepper, garlic, and fresh herbs. Packed back into their shells and roasted, "stuffies" are a hearty way to enjoy quahogs and a staple of summer meals in Rhode Island. By Mary-Frances Heck Updated on April 30, 2019 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Victor Protasio Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 45 mins Yield: 8 Ingredients 12 quahog clams (about 7 1/2 pounds), scrubbed 1/2 cup unsalted butter (4 ounces) 1/2 link linguiça sausage (about 2 1/2 ounces), finely chopped 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion 1/4 cup finely chopped celery 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper 1 garlic clove, minced 9 ounces stale baguette, processed into coarse breadcrumbs (about 6 cups) 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Flat-leaf parsley sprigs, for garnish Lemon wedges, for serving Directions Preheat oven to 400ºF. Place clams in a single layer in a very large pot, and add enough cold water to come up to the back hinge of clams (5 to 6 cups). Cover and bring to a simmer over high. Reduce heat as needed to maintain a low simmer; cook until clams open, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat, and uncover. Let stand until clams are cool enough to handle. Remove clams from pot, reserving broth. Discard any unopened clams. Remove clam meat from shells; finely chop meat, and set aside. Using poultry shears, cut through shell hinges. Arrange half shells on an aluminum foil–lined rimmed baking sheet. Pour 2 cups clam broth into a liquid measuring cup, leaving any sand or residue in bottom of pot. Set clam broth aside. Reserve any remaining broth for another use, or discard. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium. Add sausage, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sausage has plumped and released its red oil, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon, and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper to skillet; stir to coat in fat. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add chopped clam meat, sausage, breadcrumbs, thyme, and 1 cup reserved clam broth to skillet, and return to heat over medium. Fold to combine; cook just until heated through, about 1 minute. (If mixture is too dry, add remaining 1 cup broth, 1/4 cup at a time, as needed. Mixture should be moist but not wet.) Stir in parsley, salt, and black pepper. Divide stuffing among clam shells on prepared baking sheet (about 1/4 loosely packed cup each). Bake in preheated oven until tops are sizzling and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Divide stuffies among 8 plates; garnish with parsley sprigs, and serve immediately with lemon wedges. Suggested Pairing New England beer: Jack’s Abby Hoponius Union India Pale Lager. Rate it Print