A traditional New England clam bake that will feed a small army! You will have to plan ahead for this one. Lobsters, clams, mussels, potatoes, fish, corn, hot dogs, sausage, and onions all baked/steamed together in layers, in a hole you dig on the beach.
INGREDIENTS (for 3 servings):
- 20 small (1 pound) lobsters
- 20 pounds clams in shell, scrubbed
- 10 pounds mussels, cleaned and debearded
- 10 pounds cod
- 20 white potatoes
- 20 sweet potatoes
- 20 ears fresh corn
- 5 pounds bratwurst
- 5 pounds hot dogs
- 5 pounds pork sausage
- 3 pounds sweet onions
PREPARATION:
At the beach dig a hole in the sand with the approximate proportions: width = 2 feet, length = 4 feet, depth = 1-1/2 feet. Line the hole with stones from the beach. Build a fire inside of the hole and cover with rocks from the beach. Heat the stones for 2 to 3 hours.
Remove coals and/or embers from the hole. Arrange hot stones evenly across the bottom of the hole. Place fresh 1/2 bushel seaweed (wet) on top of the hot stones.
Working quickly layer the food on top of the seaweed, the food should be layered evenly on top of each other in the following order: clams, mussels, fish, sausage, hotdogs (wrapped in cheesecloth), onions, potatoes (white and sweet), corn, and finally lobsters.
Cover food with a clean, wet cloth. Place remaining seaweed on top of cloth.
Cover entire hole of food with a wet tarpaulin, sealing the steam created by the hot stones and seaweed in. Allow a very small amount of steam to escape to relieve pressure. Let bake cook for 1 or more hours. The bake is completed when the potatoes are soft. Serve bake with melted butter to dip the seafood in and lobster crackers. Don't forget napkins -- you'll need 'em!