Machas a la parmesana is a classic starter dish in Chile. It is razor clams baked in their shell, mixed with cheese, wine and more, depending on the recipe.
It was created in the 1950s in Viña del Mar by Italian immigrant, Edoardo Melotti Ferrari.
Edoardo Melotti Ferrari, inventor of the Chilean machas a la parmesana
Parmesan cheese is traditionally used, but it can be replaced with the famous Chilean mantecoso. This recipe is courtesy of the Chilean Cooking School who we did a class with in Valparaiso and highly recommend them.
This recipe is enough for 2 people.
Freshly made yummy Chilean machas a la parmesana
Ingredients for Chilean machas a la parmesana
- 12 razor clams
- 12 teaspoons sizes of butter
- 12 teaspoons of white wine like Concha y Torro
- 12 teaspoons of fresh cream
- 12 small pieces of garlic
- 12 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 6 teaspoons of Parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper to flavour
How to make Chilean machas a la parmesana
1. Pre heat the oven at 180 degrees celsius.
2. Open the shells with a knife and clean them in cold water, removing any black bits and sand, retaining the meat in each shell.
3. Put the shells in a baking pan, add butter, white wine, cream, garlic, lemon juice in each, then season with salt and pepper.
4. Generously sprinkle parmesan cheese on each.
5. Cook in the oven for around 5-7 minutes until the cheese has melted and the clams turn pink.
Machas a la parmesana are usually served alongside a plate of other gratin-like melted cheese based prizes:
Chileans love their melted cheese!
You can read more about our 10 favourite famous foods in Chile that you need to try.
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Patricia Veszpremy-Turner
Monday 10th of February 2020
Hi I have been trying to purchase these Chilean Machas for many year. I was born in Santiago,Chile and I hope that you can help with this dilemma. I was also wondering if you could help me procure -Locos(abalone)and lastly erisos (sea urchin)my parents would bring them home inside wine bottles with salt water in them.Thank You
Stefan Arestis
Monday 17th of February 2020
We personally don’t know but hope someone here reading can help!