Shrimp Skewers

Shrimp skewers are a delicious dish and quite simple to prepare. They can be served as an appetizer or as a main course, often accompanied by salad or other light side dishes. Here is the recipe with an Italian touch:

Ingredients

• 500 g shrimp, fresh or frozen
• 2 garlic cloves
• Fresh parsley to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Toothpicks or wooden skewers

Preparation

1. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them completely before proceeding. Clean the shrimp by removing the shell and legs, leaving the tail if desired for better presentation. Also remove the intestinal vein by making a small incision along the back.
2. Prepare a marinade by mixing in a bowl the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, chopped garlic, chopped fresh parsley, salt and pepper.
3. Immerse the shrimp in the marinade and let them rest for about 20-30 minutes in the refrigerator.
4. While the shrimp are marinating, if using wooden skewers, soak them in water to prevent them from burning during cooking.
5. Prepare the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat.
6. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers; you can put about 3-4 shrimp per skewer depending on the size.
7. Cook the shrimp skewers on the hot grill, turning once, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, for about 2-3 minutes per side.
8. Once cooked, serve them immediately, perhaps with an additional sprinkle of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Trivia

In many Italian coastal regions, shrimp skewers are a true tradition, especially during summer festivals and beach barbecues. The skewers can also be enriched with vegetables such as zucchini, peppers or onions alternated with the shrimp for an even more colorful and tasty variant.