Cockles are small with a ribbed shell and grow deep in the sand, just like clams, which have a similar appearance. The edible part is white, with a pointed, orange tip. They are canned in their own juices, and can be eaten as they are or dressed, usually with lemon or vinegar.
Spain is one of the leading producers and exporters of canned seafood, and current data is showing an upward trend. The regions of Galicia and Andalusia have been at the helm, steering the industry's development. Mussels, cockles, and clams from the Galician estuaries; melva and mackerel from the Andalusian coast; and anchovies and bonito from the Cantabrian coast.