Home

Mezze maniche with artichoke cream and scampi

17/11/2023

Mezze maniche with artichoke cream and scampi is an elegant and flavorful dish that combines the delicate taste of scampi with the more rustic flavor of artichokes. Here is the recipe with a small Italian twist.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of mezze maniche
  • 300 g of cleaned artichokes
  • 12 fresh scampi
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Fresh parsley to taste
  • 1/2 glass of white wine
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 30 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 lemon (juice)
  • A sprig of fresh mint

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning the scampi, removing the head and exoskeleton, then make a cut along the back and remove the intestine. Set aside.

  2. Clean the artichokes by removing the tougher outer leaves and the top, then cut them into wedges and immerse them in water acidulated with lemon juice to prevent darkening.

  3. In a large pan, sauté the garlic clove with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add the artichokes and cook until they soften, then deglaze with the white wine and let it evaporate.

  4. Remove the garlic and transfer the artichokes to a blender, blending them until you obtain a smooth and even cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  5. In a pan, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté the scampi on both sides; they should turn pink and slightly golden. Deglaze them with a little white wine and let them cook for a few minutes. Keep the scampi warm.

  6. In the meantime, cook the mezze maniche in plenty of salted water following the package instructions for al dente.

  7. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the artichoke cream, gently mixing everything over low heat for a minute so that the flavors meld well.

  8. Serve the pasta by placing the scampi on top, garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and mint, and, if liked, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Curiosity

The artichoke cream is a versatile preparation that can be used both as a pasta seasoning and as a dip or spread. Adding a citrus note with lemon helps to balance the sweetness of the artichokes, while the mint brings freshness to the dish, contrasting the saltiness of the scampi. The Parmesan cheese is a truly Italian touch that binds and further enriches the flavor of the dish.

Mezze maniche with artichoke cream and scampi