This post may containaffiliate connectedness , which have in mind that I may receive a commission if you make a leverage using these link . As an Amazon Associate I earn from measure up purchases .

If there is one affair that really screams summertime in New England , it ’s a classic New England clambake with booster and category . Learn how to cook a clambake in your own backyard .

While move to a eatery can be a treat , hosting your own clambake at home plate can be lots of play . There is just something special about cracking lobster , clams , and run through corn on the cob with your hands that seems so passing and down to earthly concern .

pile of cooked lobsters, clams, corn, and potatoes on a table

Clambakes are an previous - fashioned New England tradition inherited from the Native Americans . It is an all - day function that commence by gather stones and driftwood at the beach , digging a mysterious pit in the George Sand , lining it with rocks , and building a fire . The fire burn for most of the day until the stone are inflame . dampish rockweed , a type of seaweed with dismissal filled with ocean water , is gathered from the shore as the flaming burns .

Once the stones are spicy and sizzle when splash with water , the firing is allowed to die down , the coal are rake out of the pit , and the gathered seaweed is laid over the live rock . Then the food is placed on top of the seaweed , layered with more seaweed , and cover with burlap sacks , or canvas tarp hock in seawater . As the seaweed heats , it releases piquant steam that cooks the intellectual nourishment . Often times , whole eggs are included in the pit . Once the egg are falsify , the lobsters are done .

Tips for Hosting a Maine Lobster Bake at Home

you could replicate a summertime clambake on a much small ordered series justly in your kitchen or outside on a propane kitchen range . rather of steaming the food in a large pit on the beach , you may layer the ingredients and steam in a large pot .

The first time I made a stovetop clambake was for my parent . I had live in Maine for several year , and they love eating at seafood restaurant in the region when they visited from New Hampshire . Inspired by a stovetop clambake formula I found in the local paper , I desire to try making them a steamed lobster dinner at home instead of go to a crowded restaurant .

I did n’t have a prominent potbelly , so I used an enamel - roasting genus Pan , the form used for ridicule a turkey . The clambake was a success , but I have learned a lot since then and streamlined the process .

live lobsters in a bag

What is in a Lobster Bake?

There are many variations and traditional food include in lobster bakes . We are going to focalize on the most introductory elements :

How Much Food Will You Need?

The formula below is a generous fiesta for 6 people , but there is room to adjust the amount of ingredients . you may add a few more lobsters and dollar without overcrowding the sess .

Plus you’re able to manipulate in several batches if you are feeding even more the great unwashed . Once the prep piece of work is done , the actual preparation procedure takes about 20 minutes . you’re able to serve one batch and start out cooking another while everyone is digging in . Plan for the chase per person :

Do n’t leave the sides and dessert!Rolls , slaw , or leafy unripened salad rounds out the meal . If here is room for dessert consider serving sliced watermelon or a classical fruit Proto-Indo European top with ice cream .

red lobster surrounded by clams, corn, and potatoes on a table

How Long to Steam Lobsters?

Steaming fourth dimension is based on lobsters that weigh 1 1/4 hammer each . correct the timing for other size . supply your lobster to the potbelly , and start timing when the steaming water take back to a boil .

Equipment for a Stovetop Clambake

You do n’t have to live on the glide to savor a good former - fashioned New England clambake . With fresh seafood , a small prep , and the following equipment , you may cook a stovetop clambake all in one pot :

Prepping the Ingredients

Setting the Table

Eating lobsters , dollar bill , and corn on the cob dowse in unthaw butter is a messy affair . Dining outside is preferred . delineate the tables with charge plate tablecloths , set the table , and dish out the intellectual nourishment in large bowls or disc syndicate style . Be sure to admit several bowlful or bucket for empty case .

Consider using mysterious plates to catch the spare liquid that will debilitate out as the lobsters and clams are cracked . This liquid can be pullulate into the shell pail and salvage for subsequently to make a delicious seafood stock .

Set the mesa ahead of time by laying out plates , napkins , and lobster tools . Add a bucket of ice cold drinks that are prosperous to grab . Melt the butter and keep warm until you are quick to corrode , and then pour it into individual bowls at each place lay . tally bowls of lemon slices , baskets of homemade bread , and any other side dishes you want to serve .

pile of cooked lobsters, clams, corn, and potatoes on a table

Dig in and relish the promiscuous entertaining and delicious copiousness of a backyard clambake .

Seafood Stock : release the cooking liquid left in the pot into a delicious seafood stock . Once your node leave , heap the shells back into the pot , add lot of water , redundant onions , garlic , carrots , and simmer for about an hour . allow cool , nervous strain , and storehouse in freezer containers . Use to add up lot of look tochowders .

Lobster Rolls : Cook redundant lobsters so you have plenty of remnant to make theclassic Maine lobster roll .

Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden

Classic New England Clambake

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

You May Also wish :

Good planning is key to a successful vegetable garden

Whether you are new to growing your own food or have been growing a vegetable garden for years , you will do good from some planning each yr . You will find everything you want to organize and plan your vegetable garden in my PDF eBook , produce a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden .