Machas a la parmesana facts for kids
| Type | Seafood |
|---|---|
| Course | Starter, Main |
| Place of origin | Chile |
| Region or state | Coast |
| Created by | Chilean |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Machas (aka pink clams), Parmesan cheese, white wine |
Machas a la parmesana, or “Parmesan machas,” is a yummy dish from Chile. It's made with a special type of saltwater clam called a macha. This clam is also known as the pink clam or surf clam. The dish also features delicious Parmesan cheese.
History of Machas a la Parmesana
This classic Chilean dish was created over 50 years ago. It was first made in Viña del Mar, a city in Chile. Two Italian immigrants, Edoardo Melotti Ferrari and Adelfo Garuti, invented it. They worked at an Italian restaurant called San Marco. Before the 1950s, there were no records of this dish existing.
This dish is very popular along the coast of Chile. This is where you can find many machas. To make it, the clam meat is placed in half of its shell. Then, it's covered with Parmesan cheese and a little butter. A splash of white wine or a few drops of lemon juice are added for flavor. Finally, it's baked for a few minutes until it's ready to eat!
Different Ways to Make Machas
There are a few different ways to prepare this tasty dish. Sometimes, all the ingredients are cooked together in an earthenware paila. A paila is a special type of clay pot.
Instead of Parmesan, some people use a Chilean cheese called queso mantecoso. You can also add cream to make it extra rich. Some recipes include sliced garlic for more flavor. And if machas aren't available, other types of clams can be used instead.
