Conch Chowder

I used to make this chowder when I lived in Florida where it was easy to get conch, however large clams (shelled) will also work. Recipe source: Bon Appetit (January 1983)

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 4 quarts soup

Ingredients

• 8  cups water
• 2  cups  conch, pounded with a mallet to tenderize and chopped into small pieces (3/4 - 1 pound, may substitute large shelled clams)
• 2  tablespoons shortening (Crisco) or 2  tablespoons bacon fat
• 2  cups onions, chopped
• 2  cups celery, chopped
• 1  cup green pepper, chopped
• 1  cup carrot, chopped
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 3  quarts water
• 4  potatoes, peeled and diced (4 cups)
• 1 (10 ounce) can tomato puree
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 3  tablespoons fresh oregano, minced (or 1 tablespoon dried)
• 3  tablespoons fresh basil, minced (or 1 tablespoon dried)
• 2  bay leaves
•  hot pepper sauce
•  salt
•  pepper

Directions

1. In a large saucepan (soup pot) over high heat, bring conch and 8 cups water to a boil. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt shortening (or bacon fat). Stir in onion, celery, bell pepper, carrot and garlic and saute until browned. You may have to cook in batches depending on size of skillet. Transfer vegetable to soup pot when cooked.
3. Add drained conch and 3 quarts of water to soup pot along with potatoes, tomato puree, tomato paste, oregano, basil, bay leaves and hot pepper sauce.
4. Put soup pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until conch are tender and potatoes are cooked. Discard bay leaves. Add salt and pepper to taste.