🦐 Italian Seafood Salad (Insalata di Mare)
A classic coastal Italian dish, Italian Seafood Salad is light, zesty, and full of fresh ocean flavors. It’s typically served chilled, making it perfect for warm days, special occasions, or as an elegant appetizer.
📝 Ingredients
- 200g shrimp (peeled & deveined)
- 200g calamari (cleaned & sliced into rings)
- 200g mussels or clams (cleaned)
- 1 cup celery (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Dressing:
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Salt & black pepper (to taste)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Seafood
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook shrimp for 2–3 minutes until pink.
- Boil calamari for 1–2 minutes (don’t overcook or it gets rubbery).
- Steam mussels/clams until they open (discard any that don’t).
- Let everything cool completely.
2. Prepare the Dressing
- In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
3. Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine seafood, celery, tomatoes, onion, and parsley.
- Pour dressing over and toss gently.
4. Chill
- Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes to let flavors blend.
5. Serve
- Serve cold with lemon wedges and crusty bread.
✨ Description
Italian Seafood Salad is fresh, vibrant, and bursting with Mediterranean flavor. The tender seafood pairs beautifully with crisp vegetables and a bright lemon-garlic dressing. Every bite is light yet satisfying, making it a refreshing dish that feels both healthy and luxurious.
❓ Q&A
Q1: Can I use frozen seafood?
👉 Yes! Just thaw properly and pat dry before cooking.
Q2: How long can it be stored?
👉 Up to 2 days in the fridge, but best eaten fresh.
Q3: Can I skip shellfish?
👉 Yes—use only shrimp and calamari or add fish chunks.
Q4: What can I serve it with?
👉 Crusty bread, pasta, or as part of an antipasto platter.
Q5: How do I avoid rubbery calamari?
👉 Cook very quickly (1–2 minutes) or slow-cook—never in between.