TuaTua SHELLFISH Catch & Cook

Recently we have been to Ninety-mile beach to gather one of the most beautiful and delicious shellfish in New Zealand and possibly the whole world.

TuaTua is a Maori name for edible bivalve clam which is endemic to New Zealand. It is usually called Pipi, which is Tuatua`s close but slightly different relative. You can find TuaTua on both South and North Island in the fine clear sand on almost any beach. However, you need to consider the tides, shellfish migration and other factors in order to succeed in harvesting them. If you are travelling in New Zealand and want to learn how to get free fresh and delicious seafood on the beach, keep on reading our guide on how to find TuaTua on Ninety-mile beach in New Zealand.

How to find TuaTua?

TuaTua shellfish can be found throughout New Zealand on both South and North Islands and both West and East coasts.

The best time to search for them is low tide. Use the internet to figure out the tide times.

Once you arrive on the beach during the lowest tide start driving/walking along the beach and look for specific signs of TuaTua presence. You want to find the little holes (see picture) in the sand which are usually made by the TuaTuas spitting out the water after filtering it. Also, it spits out the water when threatened. However, sometimes you might find the holes from the birds’ beaks which compete with you in search of the precious delicacy.

 

How to harvest Tuatua?

Once you think you found the right spot just dig your hands in the sand. If those holes are made by the shellfish you will find them just an inch-deep under the surface. You will be surprised by how many of them are there in the sand.

The abundance of Tuatuas is maintained by strict rules and limits set by the Department of Conservation (DOC). The limit on harvesting Tuatua is usually between 50 and 150 per person per day. Check with the DOC website or your local DOC office in order to confirm the limit for your area.

 

What is next?

 

As soon as you got enough for your feed (remember the limit is not the target, Tuatuas are the best when fresh, please do not waste them), you need to rinse them to get rid of the excess sand. We use a DIY mesh bag for it.

Once Tuatuas are clean you need a container with salty water to put them in. Seawater will help keep shellfish alive and also it will help to clean the sand from the inside of the shell. If you want Tuatuas with no sand inside you will have to be patient and leave them in the salty water for 4+hours. Keeping TuaTuas longer is possible but not recommended.

how to cook Tuatua?

Sometimes waiting for 4 hours before cooking delicious Tuatua in a mission, but believe me, it does worth it.

Once you think you have waited enough, prepare the ingredients to cook simple but amazing dish. All you need is:

  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Chilli
  • TuaTuas

Add some olive oil on a hot pan, then add butter. You need to use olive oil in order to prevent the butter from burning. Once the butter melted add finely chopped garlic. Add chilli with the garlic to release its flavour and heat. Once the garlic is golden-brown, add your shellfish. Add a couple of tablespoons of seawater from the container with TuaTua.

Stir the shellfish until they open. Make sure you get the butter-chilli mixture inside the shells. 30 seconds after they open they are ready, if you keep them for longer they will lose their tenderness and become rubbery.

They are ready to eat straight out of the pan.

WARNING: be fast, they are so tasty that people cannot stop eating them!