Wednesday, November 19, 2008

New England Style Clambake - A Unique and Healthy Feast

By Sherry Shantel

A traditional way to celebrate, the New England style clambake, is fast becoming a phenomena as a healthy and unique party idea. It actually originated from the Native Americans wherein its method of cooking quickly became a tradition.

Today, it has become so popular that it has spread all over the coast, neighboring areas, and inland as well. The clambake originated on the coast of New England as a way to prepare the plentiful seafood that fishermen caught from the Atlantic Ocean.

While some people may be used to cooking their seafood on the grill, tradition followers have their New England clambake by steaming. The common foods that are prepared during the feast include scallops, live lobster or lobster bisque, shrimp, shellfish, mussels, clams and clam chowder, potatoes, onions, corn on the cob, and carrots. Steaming may take a few hours or an entire day, depending upon the taste. And when steaming is finished, seafood is then served with butter and lemon wedges.

One of the reasons why lots of party people opt for a clambake is because its fresh and different. It's somehow considered as unique from all of the dinner parties people usually attend. With a new gathering idea for an option, guests would surely be glad to be part of the event.

The main dish is seafood, which is known for its low amounts of calories and fats. Your meal is steamed, not breaded or fried, which further reduces its calories. Another enticing fact about a New England clambake is that, unlike other popular functions such as barbecues and cookouts, the food served is considered healthy. Finally, the side dishes are usually vegetables which is indeed very nutritious. Even people on strict diets will surely find something to eat.

A clambake can be simple or extravagantly complicated, if you like. With a simple clambake, meals can be prepared in a home steamer inside the house. However, this doesn't really follow the tradition as the best clambakes would be held outdoors with friends helping to prepare the meals.

The New England style clambake has indeed succeeded in making feasts more fun and exciting over many generations. What's good about it is it can be adapted into any event or celebration. A nice and fun memory like this would surely place you in the mainstream of an historical tradition and never forgotten by your guests.

With the New England style clambake, your partying is much more fun than ever before - and you don't even have to be in New England to enjoy it. Thanks to the modern technology, specifically the Internet, as it made delivery of fresh seafood conveniently possible. Now, you can have the best clambake festival ever, anytime and anywhere you want it. - 15359

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