Antipasto di mare also known as “insalata di mare” or “frutti di mare,” which translates to “fruits of the sea” is a popular seafood salad appetizer served in restaurants all over Italy, particularly those in the Mediterranean or near the ocean. Antipasto means “before the meal” and is the first course served before the main course in a formal Italian lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

2 soles
2 red mullet fillets
4 oysters
2 gambas (prawns)
2 crayfish
octopus
4 clams
4 mussels

For the garnishing:
chives
2 tomatoes
string beans
lemon
pure cold-pressed olive oil

Preparation Instructions
1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Set up a bowl of ice and cold water nearby. Blanche the seafood one by one each for a minute or two and plunge them in the ice bath immediately after cooking.

2. Season the fish with coarse salt and pepper. Cook in a sauté pan for about 3 minutes.

3. While the fish cooks, place the string beans in the middle of the serving dish.

4. Cut the tomatoes into small pieces and lay them in a circle around the dish. Place the fish on the serving dish. Arrange the seafood on the plate.

5. Mix the olive oil, lemon, pepper, and fresh chive and spread over the seafood. In Italian, this is called “marecatta.”