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Summer Pappardelle with Mantis Shrimp

17/11/2023

Summer Pappardelle with Mantis Shrimp is a dish that combines the flavors of the sea with the freshness of summer vegetables. I propose a recipe where the typical Mediterranean flavors of Italian cuisine will be enhanced. Mantis shrimp, also known as squilla or mare crab, are crustaceans that lend themselves well to light and tasty sauces.

Ingredients

  • 400 g of fresh pappardelle
  • 300 g of mantis shrimp (cleaned)
  • 250 g of cherry tomatoes
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • A bunch of fresh parsley
  • A glass of dry white wine
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning the mantis shrimp by removing the outer shell and any inedible parts. Only the tails and the central part of the body should remain.
  2. Wash them under running water to remove any sand residue.
  3. Heat some olive oil in a large pan and sauté the garlic until it becomes golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, to avoid a bitter taste in the dish.
  4. Add the mantis shrimp to the pan and let them brown for a couple of minutes.
  5. Deglaze with a glass of white wine and let the alcohol evaporate on medium heat.
  6. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to the mantis shrimp. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the tomatoes start to form a sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pappardelle according to the package instructions for al dente.
  8. Drain the pappardelle and transfer them into the pan with the mantis shrimp and tomato sauce. Stir gently to mix everything together.
  9. Add chopped parsley, a drizzle of raw olive oil and serve.

For a final touch, you can sprinkle the dish with chopped chili if you like a bit of heat, or add grated lemon zest for an extra touch of freshness.

Curiosities

Pappardelle are a type of pasta typical of Tuscan cuisine, in particular, but have spread throughout Italy for their ability to hold sauce due to their width. Pairing them with seafood like mantis shrimp means marrying different traditions in a unique and flavorful dish.