Today's recipe is a fakeout, because I will not be including any instructions, just a history of clam strips. Clam strips are okay, but not worthy of a real recipe. They're a second-rate type of clam recipe.
You see, clam strips are not considered traditional fried clams (necks of the clam cut in strips and no belly) and were invented by a man who settled and died in Ipswich, MA the home of the traditional fried clam (belly and all). Greek-born Tom Soffron is credited with marketing his fried clam to Howard Johnson's, and thus introducing it to the world. Here is the story:
"Tom Soffron and his brothers went into business in 1932 to market clam strips to people who had never eaten clams before. The business took off when they met another young entrepreneur named Howard Johnson, in the 1940s.
Johnson was opening roadside restaurants in New England. The brothers tried to sell him their clam strips. He tasted, smiled, and a deal was done. At that time, few people outside of Ipswich even knew clam strips existed.
When the Soffron Brothers and Howard Johnson's joined forces, the timing was perfect for both to realize tremendous growth and success. Right after World War II, the country was building the interstate highway system and Howard Johnson's would eventually create hotels and restaurants from coast to coast (sadly, there are only about five left now), and the "Tendersweet Fried Clams" became a nationwide favorite. The Soffrons once operated seven processing plants, from Maryland to Nova Scotia.
Soffron was born in Kalamata, Greece. When he was an infant, his family immigrated to the United States and eventually settled on a farm in Ipswich.
During the Great Depression, Soffron moved to New York City and worked in hotel restaurants. In 1938, he returned to Ipswich and started digging clams.
Soffron was also the lead singer and guitarist with Talambekos Mandolinata, a string band that performed at Greek social events in New England and New York in the 1940s and '50s, and also made commercial recordings. Soffron died on Feb. 21, 2004 at age 96 in Ipswich, his hometown. "
"Tom Soffron and his brothers went into business in 1932 to market clam strips to people who had never eaten clams before. The business took off when they met another young entrepreneur named Howard Johnson, in the 1940s.
Johnson was opening roadside restaurants in New England. The brothers tried to sell him their clam strips. He tasted, smiled, and a deal was done. At that time, few people outside of Ipswich even knew clam strips existed.
When the Soffron Brothers and Howard Johnson's joined forces, the timing was perfect for both to realize tremendous growth and success. Right after World War II, the country was building the interstate highway system and Howard Johnson's would eventually create hotels and restaurants from coast to coast (sadly, there are only about five left now), and the "Tendersweet Fried Clams" became a nationwide favorite. The Soffrons once operated seven processing plants, from Maryland to Nova Scotia.
Soffron was born in Kalamata, Greece. When he was an infant, his family immigrated to the United States and eventually settled on a farm in Ipswich.
During the Great Depression, Soffron moved to New York City and worked in hotel restaurants. In 1938, he returned to Ipswich and started digging clams.
Soffron was also the lead singer and guitarist with Talambekos Mandolinata, a string band that performed at Greek social events in New England and New York in the 1940s and '50s, and also made commercial recordings. Soffron died on Feb. 21, 2004 at age 96 in Ipswich, his hometown. "
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