2

I have about three gallons of clam juice, after steaming about 400 clams. How can I safely keep, can, or store this much juice for further use?

Improve this question
1
  • 2
    Do you have three gallons of space in your freezer?
    – Cascabel ♦
    Oct 12, 2014 at 17:29

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

I would suggest to reduce the juice as much es possible (to safe space later on in the freezer or shelf) and either

  • freeze it or
  • can it (see here and here for canning with a pressure cooker and here for canning with an oven)

Just putting the juice into the fridge is not sufficient. Neither just boiling the juice and filling it into a jar is sufficient because then you are not sterilizing the juice but only pasteurizing.

Improve this answer
4
  • I was thinking of a pressure cooker, then we would also have canned clams, rather then frozen. :)
    – Stephanie Lee-Davis
    Oct 12, 2014 at 20:13
  • 1
    Canning it without a pressure canner is almost certainly unsafe - this is a low-acid food.
    – Cascabel ♦
    Oct 12, 2014 at 22:27
  • I thought canning with weck-jars in an oven is safe since the lid is set with a rubber seal and steel tension clips which work as a valve - resulting single mini pressure cookers.
    – Ching Chong
    Oct 12, 2014 at 22:42
  • @ChingChong all canning jars are by definition airtight, or sterilization would be pointless. This doesn't turn them into pressure canners. Canning low acidity food in wecks is as unsafe as in any other jar.
    – rumtscho ♦
    Oct 13, 2014 at 15:32
0

I'm not much for bivalves, so I can't say that I've specifically dealt with clam juice before. I would personally consider treating it like shrimp or crab stock ... which is basically the same as I would do for chicken stock:

  1. Reduce it in a wide pot, to intensify the flavors and reduce the total volume to store.
  2. Freeze it in assorted containers, based on how I'm likely to use it.

My understanding of clam juice is that it's generally has a more 'fresh' flavor to it, so it's possible that reducing it might be a problem. If that's the case, freeze what you can fit in your freezer, then use the rest of it to make a soup, risotto, paella, or similar.

Canning might be possible, but being a meat both, it likely requires pressure canning, which most people don't have the equipment on hand for.

Improve this answer
1
  • Thank You. A friend suggested freezing some of it in ice trays, and putting them into a bag.
    – Stephanie Lee-Davis
    Oct 12, 2014 at 20:10

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.