Spaghetti with Mantis Shrimp

Spaghetti with mantis shrimp is a typical seafood dish of the Mediterranean cuisine, and can particularly be found in some Italian coastal areas. Mantis shrimp, also known as squilla or canocchie, are crustaceans with a delicate and exquisite flavor. Let’s see how to prepare this dish:

Ingredients

• 360 g of spaghetti
• 500 g of mantis shrimp
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh parsley to taste
• 200 ml of dry white wine
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Salt to taste
• Chili pepper (optional)

Preparation

1. First, clean the mantis shrimp. Remove the head by twisting and pulling gently with your hands. Get rid of the inner pouch and legs, leaving only the central part and the tail. Rinse under cold running water and set aside.

2. In a large pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the garlic cloves (you can leave them whole if you wish to remove them later, or slice them if you prefer to keep them in the dish). If you like, also add a small piece of chili pepper.

3. When the garlic is golden, add the mantis shrimp and briefly sauté, then deglaze with the white wine. Allow the alcohol to evaporate, then cook for about 5 minutes, until the mantis shrimp are well done.

4. Meanwhile, bring a pot of plenty of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente.

5. Drain the pasta while keeping some of the cooking water and transfer it to the pan with the mantis shrimp. Stir well to flavor the spaghetti, if necessary add some of the cooking water to make the sauce lighter and creamier.

6. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Curiosity

Mantis shrimp, although not as well-known as other seafood, are highly appreciated for their delicate flavor and firm flesh. In Italy, their use in cooking is widespread especially in the coastal regions. Combining the simplicity of spaghetti with the sophistication of mantis shrimp creates a pleasantly balanced contrast that captures the essence of Italian seafood cuisine.