CAST-IRON ROASTED CLAMS

Cast-Iron Roasted Clams image

Provided by Jody Adams

Yield Makes 4 main-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 pounds medium (3- to 4-inch) red potatoes
16 garlic cloves, peeled
3 small red onions (3/4 pound total), quartered lengthwise, leaving root end intact
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 3/4 pound plum tomatoes (10 to 12), halved lengthwise
40 small hard-shelled clams (4 lb) such as littlenecks (less than 2 inches wide), scrubbed well
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Special Equipment
a 14-inch cast-iron skillet with lid, or a 17- by 12-inch heavy roasting pan (preferably dark metal) and heavy-duty foil

Steps:

Preheat oven to 500°F.
Cut potatoes into 1/2-inch-thick slices and toss with garlic, onions, oil, salt, and pepper in skillet (or roasting pan). Roast in middle of oven until potatoes begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Add tomatoes, tossing to combine, and roast until skins wrinkle and split, about 10 minutes. Add clams and red pepper flakes and roast, covered with lid (or tightly covered with foil), until clams are fully open, 6 to 10 minutes. (Discard any clams that have not opened after 10 minutes.) Sprinkle with parsley and serve in skillet.