Scampi Tartare

Scampi tartare is a fresh and refined appetizer typical of Italian cuisine, perfect for starting a fish-based dinner. Below you will find the ingredients to make a scampi tartare for two people:

Ingredients

• 200 g fresh scampi
• 1 lemon (the juice)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• White pepper to taste (optional)
• A bunch of fresh chives
• One ripe avocado (option for a more exotic touch)

Preparation

1. Start by cleaning the scampi: remove the shell and the intestinal vein and gently rinse under cold running water. Pat dry well with paper towels.
2. Cut the scampi into very small cubes to obtain a tartare.
3. Place the cubes in a bowl and season with extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt and, if desired, a grind of white pepper.
4. Add the fresh lemon juice, which besides flavoring will help to lightly “cook” the crustaceans with its acidity.
5. Finely chop the chives and incorporate them into the tartare. Let the mixture marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the scampi to absorb the flavors well.
6. If you wish to add an exotic touch, you can prepare a bed of avocado: mash the flesh of a ripe avocado with a fork and season with lemon, salt, and oil. Spread the avocado on the bottom of the plate and place the scampi tartare on top when serving.

Trivia

The word “tartare” has rather debated origins, but in modern cuisine it commonly refers to dishes prepared with raw meat or fish, finely chopped and simply seasoned to enhance their flavor. For scampi tartare, it is essential to use scampi of excellent quality and freshness because they will be consumed raw.

Enjoy your meal and remember that the quality of the ingredients is fundamental for this dish, so always choose the freshest scampi.