12    Clams

      1 lb Mussels

      2 tb Pure olive oil

      1    Large onion, diced

      2    Large ripe tomatoes, peeled,

           Seeded, coarsely chopped
      2    Cloves garlic, minced

      1    Sprig fresh cilantro, minced

           Salt&  black pepper to taste
           Cayenne pepper to taste
           Pinch of saffron threads
      4 lb Fresh codfish fillets, cut

           -into serving-size pieces
      1 lb Jb shrimp, peeled, deveined

    1/2 lb Fresh crabmeat, picked over

           -for cartilage
  Clean the clams by scrubbing them thoroughly with a wire brush,
  removing any beard or barnacles. Then place them in a large pot
  with 1 gallon of water or enough to cover, and 1/3 cup salt. Allow
  the clams to remain for 20 minutes during which time they will
  expel the sand inside. Continue this process, changing the water at
  least two more times. The mussels are cleaned in a similar manner,
  but you must leave them in the water for at least 2 hours. Throw
  away any clams or mussels that float or are not tightly closed.
  Heat the olive oil in the bottom of a large, heavy saucepan over
  medium heat. Add the onion, tomatoes, garlic, coriander, salt,
  peppers, and saffron and cook, stirring, until the onions have
  softened, but are not brown. Add the fish and shellfish to the onion
  mixture. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to
  low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the shellfish open. Discard
  any clams or mussels that do not open. Serve hot.