Chocolate Clam

Chocolate clams (Almeja Chocolata in Spanish) are one of the largest West Coast bivalves–reaching up to six inches across. Its chocolate brown shell (thus the name) houses a sweet, meaty clam that is as beautiful to behold as it is delicious to eat. They are harvested along the Pacific side of Baja, throughout the Sea of Cortez, and along the Mexican mainland coast all the way to Guatemala. For nearly 70 years these clams were contraband in the US but are now legal, if you can find them. Catalina Offshore (San Diego, CA) is a good place to start.