Top 7 Chilean Mollusk Dishes

Machas a la parmesana is a typical Chilean dish consisting of razor clams that are topped with salt, white wine, butter, and parmesan cheese. The clams are then broiled until the cheese melts, and it is recommended to serve them immediately, preferably with a glass of white wine on the side. This Chilean classic is typically served as an appetizer and it was invented by an Italian immigrant named Edoardo Melotti Ferrari in Viña del Mar in the 1950s.Expand

Locos con mayonesa is a traditional dish originating from Chile. It’s usually made with a combination of abalone, salt, onions, bell peppers, mayonnaise, and pisco. The abalone is washed, boiled in water with onions and peppers until soft, and then cut into pieces. These mollusks are arranged on a plate, often on a bed of lettuce, and they’re garnished with coriander, chives, or parsley. Mayonnaise is mixed with a bit of pisco, and it’s then placed on top of each abalone piece. Locos con mayonesa is usually served as an appetizer.Expand

Choritos con arroz is a traditional rice dish originating from Chile. The dish is usually made with a combination of rice, mussels, onions, carrots, bell peppers, butter, and salt. The onions, carrots, and bell peppers are chopped and sautéed in butter. Rice is added to the pan, and the mixture is stirred and cooked for a few minutes. Mussels are added to the pan, and the mixture is then covered with water and simmered over low heat. Once the rice is tender, and the mussels have opened up their shells, the dish is ready to be enjoyed, ideally with a fresh green salad on the side.Expand

Almejas al matico is a traditional dish originating from Chile. The dish is usually made with a combination of clams, matico leaves, lemon juice, onions, garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. The clams are washed and soaked in cold water in order to remove any sand residue. The onions, garlic, and matico leaves are chopped and mixed with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil. The clams are added to the mixture, and almejas al matico is ready to be served, typically as an appetizer in washed clam shells.Expand

Sopa de locos is a traditional bread soup originating from Chile. It’s usually made with a combination of abalone, stock, milk, onions, oil, bread, butter, parsley, and salt. The abalone is boiled for about an hour and chopped into pieces. The bread is soaked in milk and strained. Onions and bell peppers are sautéed in oil and then mixed with the abalone, soaked bread, fish stock, cheese, butter, and salt. The mixture is placed into a baking dish, grated cheese is added on top, and the soup is then placed in a hot oven for a few minutes. Before serving, sopa de locos is typically garnished with parsley.Expand

Choritos al vapor is a traditional mussel dish originating from the coastal areas of Chile. Although there are many variations, the dish is usually made with a combination of fresh mussels, garlic, white wine, onions, oregano, olive oil, and sometimes even longaniza sausage. The onions, garlic, oregano and olive oil are sauteed in a large pan, then mixed with the mussels and white wine. The combination is cooked until the mussels open, and the dish is then served either directly from the pot or individually in large bowls. It's recommended to pair the dish with a glass of white wine. Other versions of the dish often include red bell peppers and celery, if desired.Expand

Cazuela chilota is a traditional dish originating from Chile. This thick soup is usually made with a combination of mussels, pumpkin, cabbage, potatoes, garlic, carrots, hot peppers, rice, oregano, parsley, coriander, oil, salt, and black pepper. The mussels are fried in oil with minced garlic, hot peppers, garlic, salt, and pepper. The mixture is covered with water and simmered over medium heat. The vegetables are chopped and added to the pot along with rice. Cazuela chilota is simmered for about half an hour more, and it’s then often sprinkled with oregano, coriander, and parsley before serving.Expand