telline

Small clam-like molluscs gathered on sandy beaches. They are very similar to vongole though they are smaller and have less taste. They are generally cooked along with vongole (or on their own) on pasta dishes.

The telline del litorale romano, collected on the find sandy coasts of Lazio between Passoscuro a Capo d’Anzio have been famous since Roman times and are in the Slow Food Presidium.

Also known as arselle.