The hard-shelled beauties pictured here are our Quahog — named by the indigenous people of Long Island.

Quahogs are the type of clam we dig from our bays, latin name: mercenaria mercenaria. They differ from the soft-shell clams (steamers), razor clams and Atlantic surf clams, all of which you can find on the East End. 

Characterized by the hard shells, and the deep purple hue on the inside they were highly prized as not only as a food source, but also as a form of currency. The Corchaugs of the East End were skilled artisans who painstakingly and carefully hand-drilled cylindrical beads from the clam shell, also known as wampumpeage (wampum for short). Purple wampum was more valuable (and rare) than white, and all were threaded on long strings so that they could be quickly and accurately counted and traded. Almost all the wampum that was used throughout the United States in various Indian nations originated from the East End. 

These days, Quahogs are also called by their size, from largest to smallest: chowder clams, cherry stones, top necks and littlenecks.