Many English people have a limited repertoire when it comes to seafood—in England, a seafood dinner usually means munching on a basket of fish and chips doused in vinegar. Italian seafood dishes put an entirely different spin on things. The fresh, flavourful, vibrant preparations of seafood found across Italy not only use a variety of seasonings and cooking methods, they also contain different kinds of fish. From zesty Italian antipasti dishes made with octopus to rich pasta sauce infused with anchovies, here are the seafood dishes you need to try to expand your palate, Italian-style.
Seafood Antipasti
Just as antipasti made from olives or sun-dried tomatoes are highly concentrated in flavour, seafood antipasti also pack a big punch in small bites. Oftentimes, smaller fishes like anchovies are used, but chopped octopus and squid are also popular choices. At Diforti, our seafood antipasti is typically marinated in olive oil and seasoned with garlic, herbs and spices. One of our favorite seafood antipasti dishes is Stuffed Squids with Parsley and Garlic, a true delicacy of squids filled with crab surimi, mussels and prawns. Seafood antipasti can be served as a first course in a larger meal, or you can nibble on it for lunch alongside an Italian cheese selection and some bread.
Ciuppin
This hearty seafood stew originated in Liguria as a way to take advantage of the leftover fish from the markets. The recipe is generally flexible and can use whatever ingredients you have on hand, but it usually requires simmering carrots, onions, celery, tomatoes, wine and garlic with the fish until the soup is fragrant and piping hot.
Pesce al Forno
Also known as baked fish, pesce al forno is a go-to meal for many Italians. This dish often calls for branzino (sea bass) or cod. Preparations can vary greatly depending on the ingredients available—sometimes the fish is baked whole with potatoes, sometimes it is filleted and dressed with breadcrumbs and salty olives. Of course, most recipes call for copious amounts of good Italian olive oil—it’s a necessity in any seafood dish!
Pasta alla Puttanesca
Pasta alla puttanesca is an Italian classic, and anyone looking for a lesson in Italian food and cookery should give it a try. It combines anchovies, capers and olives with acidic tomatoes and garlic for a rich sauce that works beautifully over spaghetti. The anchovies are truly what characterise the sauce, as their brininess adds a distinct depth to the dishes’ layers of flavour. We like to use our simply marinated Anchovy Fillets to make pasta alla puttanesca, but if you like a spicy kick, try preparing the sauce using out Anchovy Fillets with Chilli instead.
Italy’s vast array of seafood dishes make it the perfect cuisine for someone trying to branch out from standard fish and chips fare. Fortunately, Diforti makes it easy to buy authentic Italian food online, so you can have everything you need to experience the flavours of Italy right in your own kitchen. Cook up a pot of pasta alla puttanesca tonight and transport your taste buds to the land of all things fresh and flavourful.