I've just come back from COCKLING - now what do I do with them?

[Sparkler1]

I've got a bucket of cockles - freshly picked from the sea in Poole this evening. Not sure what to do with them now.
I've rinsed the shells as much as possible.

Mum suggested covering them in cold water and putting two tablespoons of flour into the water and mixing the cockles around so they get covered. (This cleans them out as they cockles eat it - ewwwwwww!) Leave overnight. Rinse well tomorrow. Then cover in cold water and boil.

Any other suggestions gratefully received.

Fry some finely minced onion and garlic in olive oil,add cockles,and a glassful or two of white wine.Steam until open.Add handfuls of chopped fresh flat parsley (or chilli,coriander and lemon) and serve with pasta (toss through-linguini best)
Serve with salad and chilled white wine.

I'm leaving the house now.There in 15 mins.

That flour thing...never heard of it and have picked cockles,mussels,clams and oysters.
We just leave 'em in cold water for a bit.

(Have vague memory of something I read about porridge oats though...)

I have never had to cook them before - mum has always done that bit for me. I just get handed a bowlful ready to cover in vinegar and pepper. Yum.

First time for me to actually cook them from fresh.

Wondeerfu lSoarkler.
Very special to eat stuff you have collected yerself.

The flour thing is something mum has done for years - think my grandad used to do the same.

I worked in a restaurant when I was 18 (The Cauldron in Clifton in Bristol if anyone remembers it) where they served cockles with a french mustard sauce, it was delicious. I guess you'd just add mustard and white wine, mmmm, I'm envious!

Some lovely sounding ideas.

Really interested in hearing what other people do with cockles when they have come straight from the sea. Sounds like rinsing well and soaking in cold water is the main one.