quahog

/ˌkwɔˈhɔg/

Other forms: quahogs

A quahog is a kind of edible clam with a very hard shell. In the U.S., you're most likely to see quahogs on the menu in New England, New York, or New Jersey (not so much in Montana).

Quahogs are sometimes called "hard clams," "round clams," or "chowder clams," since they're commonly used to make clam chowder. Native Americans in New England once used quahog shells (especially purple ones) to make a kind of bead called wampum that was used as a gift or for trading. The word quahog comes from the Narragansett poquauhock, meaning "hard clam."

Definitions of quahog

1. noun

   Atlantic coast round clams with hard shells; large clams usually used for chowders or other clam dishes
   synonyms: hard-shell clam, quahaug, round clam

   types:

   littleneck, littleneck clam

   a quahog when young and small; usually eaten raw; an important food popular in New York

   cherrystone, cherrystone clam

   small quahog larger than a littleneck; eaten raw or cooked as in e.g. clams casino

   type of:

   clam

   flesh of either hard-shell or soft-shell clams
2. noun

   an edible American clam; the heavy shells were used as money by some American Indians
   synonyms: Mercenaria mercenaria, Venus mercenaria, hard clam, hard-shell clam, quahaug, round clam

   types:

   littleneck, littleneck clam

   a young quahog

   cherrystone, cherrystone clam

   a half-grown quahog

   type of:

   clam

   burrowing marine mollusk living on sand or mud; the shell closes with viselike firmness