Ensis minor

Present from Norway to Mediterranean, the Jackknife clam (Ensis minor) is an edible bivalve living on the sandy sediments at low depth. The valves, white-cream with pinkish, pale violet or reddish brown stripes, have a maximum breadth of 2,5 cm per 17 cm of length. It is fished all year and has a delicate taste. Sold live in the fish market, it is good to purge it for some hours in a container filled with salt water, before rinsing and cooking it © Giuseppe Mazza