An effective and natural method for removing sand from clams is to use meal during the purging process. The meal is perceived by clams as food: by ingesting it, they more readily release the accumulated sand, making them cleaner and ready for cooking.
To proceed correctly, it is advisable to prepare a solution with 1 liter of water, 37 grams of fine salt (equal to the average salinity of the sea) and 1 tablespoon flourThe clams should be immersed in this liquid for approximately 4 hours, taking care to cover the container with a damp cloth to keep them alive and active.
After this time, the water will be cloudy and full of sand: it is therefore necessary to replace it with new salted water (without adding any more flour) and leave the clams to soak for further 2–3 hoursThis completes the purging process, ensuring perfectly clean shellfish ready for cooking, without the risk of finding sand in the finished dishes.
