Go beyond clam cakes and stuffies as RI celebrates Quahog Week. A look at what you'll find

Do you love the quahog like a good Rhode Islander should? Then have we got the week for you.

The state's Department of Environmental Management has declared May 11-18 as Quahog Week in Rhode Island . They began the annual celebration to highlight the iconic clam in 2015 but, with the pandemic break, this is the 8th annual event.

Restaurants from all categories – from clam shacks to pizzerias to markets – are participating by featuring a quahog dish on their menus. Think clam chili and quahog dip.

The idea is to highlight the many food-based businesses committed to growing the local food economy. Of course, the special emphasis is on wild harvested clams. Quahogging supports the livelihoods of hundreds of Rhode Island fishermen. It also serves as a leisure activity for many others.

The bonus for seafood lovers is fresh-shucked littlenecks, clam cakes and stuffies. But Quahog Week will shine a light on clever preparations beyond chowdah and pasta.

Things kick off Monday, May 13, from 4-6 p.m. with a Shucking and Tasting at Fresh Harvest Kitchen, 9 East Ave., in Westerly. The business, a project of the Southern Rhode Island Conservation District (SRICD), is a federal and state-licensed facility at which seafood can be purchased and processed.

Breweries get in the spirit

Two breweries are all in hosting Quahog Week events at their taprooms that are free and open to the public.

On Wednesday, May 15, from 5 to 7 p.m., celebrate at Narragansett Brewery at 271 Tockwotton St., Providence, with harvesters from the R.I. Shellfishermen's Association shucking and serving complimentary littlenecks. Small bites will be provided by Dave's Fresh Marketplace, Matunuck Oyster Bar, Dune Brothers and Fearless Fish.

On Thursday, May 16, from 5 to 7 p.m., celebrate similarly at The Guild Warren at 101 Water St. in Warren, with more harvesters from the R.I. Shellfishermen's Association shucking and serving complimentary littlenecks. Small bites will be provided by Matunuck Oyster Bar and Blount's Clam Shack.

More than 20 restaurants and a dozen markets offer specials

• Pizza Marvin in Providence will serve a special Chowdah Pie all week. It will be topped with littlenecks, potatoes, bacon and herb salad.
• The Gulf Stream in Portsmouth will serve a Gulf Stream Stuffie with a spicy kick, made with diced quahog, conch, andouille sausage, roasted corn, peppers, onions and spices, all baked in the shell.
• Hemenway's in Providence will offer Beer Battered Quahog Fritters with horseradish remoulade.
• The Coast Guard House in Narragansett has two dishes: House Made Stuffies with chorizo and red bell pepper stuffing and Linguine & Clams.
• Matunuck Oyster Bar in Wakefield will have a surprise entree as well as $1 Littlenecks and Cherrystones on the half shell.

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• Sherri's Come Along Inn in Coventry is all in with specials that include Cioppino with littleneck clams in a red tomato and garlic sauce, sauteed with fresh seafood served with or without pasta. There's also Paella on the menu and Portuguese Clam Zuppa as well as Stuffies, Portuguese style with chourico, Clams Casino, Clam Chowder and Clam Cakes.
• Fearless Fish Market in Providence has Creamy R.I. Quahog Clam Dip with chopped quahogs, garlic, caramelized onions and fresh chives folded into cream cheese and sour cream.
• Blount Clam Shack Market in Warren has Quahog Chili as a special.

You can find all the participating seafood shops and restaurants online at seafood.ri.gov/quahog-week .

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Go beyond clam cakes and stuffies as RI celebrates Quahog Week. A look at what you'll find