Disclosed is a method for preparing shellfish including providing a substantially flexible liquid-permeable container having at least one open end； providing a plurality of shellfish in the container； closing the or each open end of the container； and tensioning the container to compact the shellfish and prevent the shellfish from opening. In preferred embodiments the flexible liquid-permeable container includes a mesh bag which is tensioned by twisting to keep the shellfish closed while enabling the shellfish to be cooked, dried, and/or frozen in the bag. An apparatus adapted to perform the method is also disclosed.
