Seafood

Frutti Di Mare

Frutti Di Mare
Savor the ocean's bounty with this classic Italian masterpiece featuring tender seafood simmered in a garlicky, white wine-infused sauce over al dente pasta. It is an elegant yet simple dish that brings the authentic flavors of the Mediterranean coast straight to your kitchen table.

Prep

20m

Cook

25m

Serves

4


1 Ingredients

Qty Ingredient
14 oz 400 g Spaghetti
1 lb 450 g Fresh Mussels, scrubbed and debearded
1 lb 450 g Littleneck Clams, scrubbed
8 oz 225 g Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
7 oz 200 g Calamari rings and tentacles
4 tbsp 60 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 pieces 4 pieces Garlic Cloves, thinly sliced
0.5 cup 120 ml Dry White Wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
1 cup 150 g Cherry Tomatoes, halved
0.5 tsp 1 g Red Chili Flakes
0.25 cup 15 g Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley, chopped

2 Method

1

Step 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until it is slightly firmer than al dente (about 2 minutes less than package directions).

2

Step 2. Meanwhile, in a large deep skillet or wide pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and red chili flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

3

Step 3. Add the clams and mussels to the skillet, followed by the white wine. Cover with a lid and steam for 3-5 minutes, or until the shells have opened. Discard any that remain closed.

4

Step 4. Remove the opened shellfish from the pan and set aside in a bowl, leaving the liquid in the skillet. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and simmer for 3 minutes.

5

Step 5. Add the shrimp and calamari to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and the calamari is opaque.

6

Step 6. Return the clams and mussels to the pan. Drain the pasta (reserve a splash of pasta water) and add the spaghetti directly into the seafood skillet.

7

Step 7. Toss everything together over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes, adding a little pasta water if needed to emulsify the sauce. Finely garnish with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.

💡 Chef's Tips

  • ·

    Always source the freshest seafood possible; the quality of the mussels and clams defines the dish.

  • ·

    Do not overcook the calamari, as it can become rubbery very quickly.

  • ·

    Reserving pasta water is crucial; the starch helps the seafood juices cling to the spaghetti.

  • ·

    Avoid adding cheese to this dish; traditional Italian seafood recipes never use parmesan as it masks the delicate ocean flavors.

? FAQ

Can I use frozen seafood?
Yes, you can use high-quality frozen seafood. Ensure it is fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to prevent excess water from diluting the sauce.
What is the best pasta for Frutti di Mare?
Long, thin pasta like Spaghetti, Linguine, or Spaghettini is traditional as it provides a great surface area for the light sauce.
How do I clean the mussels and clams?
Soak them in cold salted water for 20 minutes to let them purge sand. Scrub the shells and pull off the 'beard' (the hairy bit) from the mussels.
Is this dish spicy?
It has a very mild heat from the red chili flakes. You can omit them for a completely mild dish or double them for a 'Fra Diavolo' style heat.

Videos

Comments (0)

Be the first to leave a comment.

Sign in to leave a comment.