Forget lobster rolls. Rhode Island's stuffies are having a moment

 

DINING

Forget lobster rolls. Rhode Island's stuffies are having a moment

Lynne Sullivan

The Providence Journal

 Stuffies are the new lobster roll? The New York Times recently published an article with the following headline: This Classic New England Seafood Dish Is the Antidote to $30 Lobster Rolls. As the Providence Journal continues our affordability series, this had me hooked immediately.

Stuffies are the new lobster roll?

The New York Times recently published an article with the following headline: This Classic New England Seafood Dish Is the Antidote to $30 Lobster Rolls. As the Providence Journal continues our affordability series, this had me hooked immediately.

A cheaper summer delicacy Lobster rolls are delicious, but even the least expensive ones are ... well, not cheap (where are they finding $30 lobster rolls, BTW?). Is the rest of the world finally realizing something that everyone in Rhode Island has always known – that stuffed quahogs are also delicious, and a true summer delicacy, but blessedly easier on our wallets?

A cheaper summer delicacy

Lobster rolls are delicious, but even the least expensive ones are ... well, not cheap (where are they finding $30 lobster rolls, BTW?). Is the rest of the world finally realizing something that everyone in Rhode Island has always known – that stuffed quahogs are also delicious, and a true summer delicacy, but blessedly easier on our wallets?

What to know about stuffies When I want information about a Rhode Island dish , who do I turn to? Food editor Gail Ciampa, of course. This is what she wrote in a recent story about stuffies: "Stuffies are a uniquely Rhode Island food served at clam shacks, fine dining restaurants and markets. They've also been made at home by generations of families. Other coastal places might have stuffed clams, but they don't have 'stuffies.'"

What to know about stuffies

When I want information about a Rhode Island dish, who do I turn to? Food editor Gail Ciampa, of course. This is what she wrote in a recent story about stuffies:"Stuffies are a uniquely Rhode Island food served at clam shacks, fine dining restaurants and markets. They've also been made at home by generations of families. Other coastal places might have stuffed clams, but they don't have 'stuffies.'"

Why are quahogs so popular in RI? Why are stuffed quahogs so popular in RI? As Gail explains, quahogs are Rhode Island's favorite and biggest local clam, bigger than cherrystones and tiny littlenecks. It's a sustainable resource and available year-round. And q uahogging supports the livelihoods of hundreds of Rhode Island fishermen. It also serves as a leisure activity for many others.

Why are quahogs so popular in RI?

Why are stuffed quahogs so popular in RI? As Gail explains, quahogs are Rhode Island's favorite and biggest local clam, bigger than cherrystones and tiny littlenecks. It's a sustainable resource and available year-round. And quahogging supports the livelihoods of hundreds of Rhode Island fishermen. It also serves as a leisure activity for many others.

So what exactly are stuffies? Stuffies are stuffed clams, specifically quahogs. Quahogs lend themselves to being stuffed because the shells are so big, Natalia Paiva-Neves, who runs O Dinis in East Providence, told Gail recently. People began making it because the clams were here and it was an easy, inexpensive way to use leftover bread to make a stuffing, she said. Portuguese Americans might well have had a hand in creating the stuffie because most recipes call for the addition of their most popular spiced, pork sausage, chouriço, to the stuffing.

So what exactly are stuffies? Stuffies are stuffed clams, specifically quahogs. Quahogs lend themselves to being stuffed because the shells are so big, Natalia Paiva-Neves, who runs O Dinis in East Providence, told Gail recently. People began making it because the clams were here and it was an easy, inexpensive way to use leftover bread to make a stuffing, she said. Portuguese Americans might well have had a hand in creating the stuffie because most recipes call for the addition of their most popular spiced, pork sausage, chouriço, to the stuffing.

What's in a name? Turns out there's some controversy there The comments on social media about the NYT article were hilarious. Anyone from southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island agreed, "stuffies" is what they are called. But folks from elsewhere in MA – think Boston area – were perplexed: They had never heard the term. Though someone did reference the work of Journal columnist Mark Patinkin – to prove that yes, in Rhode Island, "stuffies" is a word.

What's in a name? Turns out there's some controversy there The comments on social media about the NYT article were hilarious. Anyone from southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island agreed, "stuffies" is what they are called. But folks from elsewhere in MA – think Boston area – were perplexed: They had never heard the term. Though someone did reference the work of Journal columnist Mark Patinkin – to prove that yes, in Rhode Island, "stuffies" is a word.

The Providence Journal

Remember the giant stuffies? The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation a few years ago commissioned installations for several U.S. airports depicting a stuffie – an iconic Rhode Island stuffed clam dish – and a bottle of hot sauce. A few months ago, Mark himself acknowledged that maybe "stuffie" didn't convey the right image for those unfamiliar with the term. He suggested "quahog casserole."

Remember the giant stuffies?

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation a few years ago commissioned installations for several U.S. airports depicting a stuffie – an iconic Rhode Island stuffed clam dish – and a bottle of hot sauce.

A few months ago, Mark himself acknowledged that maybe "stuffie" didn't convey the right image for those unfamiliar with the term. He suggested "quahog casserole."

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

Where to get stuffies Stuffies are one of many iconic foods that Rhode Islanders can enjoy at any level of dining. They are served at white tablecloth restaurants, no-frills clam shacks and seafood markets. Gail's recommendations for where to get good stuffies: Coast Guard House in Narragansett Matunuck Oyster Bar in Wakefield Hemenway's Restaurant in Providence 15 Point Road Restaurant in Portsmouth The Crow's Nest in Warwick George's of Galilee in Narragansett Iggy's Boardwalk in Warwick and Twin Oaks in Cranston where they serve a Stuffed Quahog and a Portuguese Stuffed Quahog. Amaral's Fish & Chips in Warren Quito's in Bristol Monahan's Clam Shacks in Narragansett and Charlestown Aunt Carrie's in Narragansett Flo's Clam Shack in Middletown where they serve Flo's Fiery Stuffed Quahog. Dockside Seafood Marketplace in Warwick Anthony’s Seafood in Middletown Tony's Seafood in Seekonk Ocean Pride Seafood in Cranston Gardner's Wharf Seafood in North Kingstown.

Where to get stuffies Stuffies are one of many iconic foods that Rhode Islanders can enjoy at any level of dining. They are served at white tablecloth restaurants, no-frills clam shacks and seafood markets. Gail's recommendations for where to get good stuffies: Coast Guard House in Narragansett Matunuck Oyster Bar in Wakefield Hemenway's Restaurant in Providence 15 Point Road Restaurant in Portsmouth The Crow's Nest in Warwick George's of Galilee in Narragansett Iggy's Boardwalk in Warwick and Twin Oaks in Cranston where they serve a Stuffed Quahog and a Portuguese Stuffed Quahog. Amaral's Fish & Chips in Warren Quito's in Bristol Monahan's Clam Shacks in Narragansett and Charlestown Aunt Carrie's in Narragansett Flo's Clam Shack in Middletown where they serve Flo's Fiery Stuffed Quahog. Dockside Seafood Marketplace in Warwick Anthony’s Seafood in Middletown Tony's Seafood in Seekonk Ocean Pride Seafood in Cranston Gardner's Wharf Seafood in North Kingstown.