what are cockles

Cockles are edible marine bivalve molluscs belonging to the family Cardiidae, often referred to as "true cockles" to distinguish them from other similar small bivalves. They have a distinctive rounded, heart-shaped shell with evenly spaced radial ribs and can completely close their shells. Cockles live buried in sandy, sheltered beaches and intertidal zones around the world, from Norway to Morocco, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. They feed by filtering plankton from the water and can move by "jumping" with their muscular foot. Cockles differ from clams primarily by their shell shape and habitat; cockles always have a heart-like shell and live exclusively in saltwater, while clams can live in both saltwater and freshwater. Cockles have a tender flesh with a mildly sweet, salty, and buttery flavor, making them popular in various culinary dishes. However, they should be cooked before eating to avoid health risks. Their adaptability to saltwater environments allows them to thrive in coastal and estuary regions. In summary, cockles are a type of small, edible, bivalve shellfish known for their heart-shaped shells, their burrowing behavior in sandy coastal environments, and their pleasant, mild flavor often enjoyed in seafood dishes.