Description
A classic Italian antipasto of mixed seafood and fennel, lightly dusted in a crisp flour batter and flash-fried to golden perfection. Fragrant sage and anchovy add savory depth, while lemon wedges brighten each bite. Perfect for sharing!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 bulbs Fennel (Trimmed thinly sliced)
- 300 g Squid (Whole or rings cleaned)
- 8 large Prawns (Shell-on)
- 200 g Small whole fish (E.g. whitebait scaled & cleaned)
- 16 leaves Sage (Whole fresh)
- 8 fillets Anchovy fillets in oil (Drained)
- 125 g Plain flour (Plus extra for dusting)
- 25 g Cornflour
- Salt (To taste)
- Neutral oil (For frying vegetable or sunflower)
- 250 ml Very cold sparkling water (To make batter light)
- Lemon wedges (For serving)
Instructions
Prep & Heat Oil:
- In a deep skillet or fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
Dry & Dust Fennel:
- Pat fennel slices dry and dust lightly with flour. Shake off excess.
Make Batter:
- Whisk together 125 g plain flour, 25 g cornflour, and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
- Gradually whisk in 250 ml cold sparkling water until a loose batter forms.
Toss Seafood & Herbs:
- Lightly dust squid, prawns, fish, sage leaves, and anchovy fillets in plain flour.
- Dip each piece into the batter to coat fully, letting excess drip off.
Fry in Batches:
- Working in small batches, fry battered pieces until golden and crisp (about 1–2 minutes per side).
- Transfer to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain. Keep warm in a low oven if desired.
Serve:
- Pile fritto misto onto a platter, sprinkle with sea salt, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
-
Oil Temperature: Maintain 350°F; too cool yields greasy fritters, too hot burns exterior.
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Variations: Add thin slices of zucchini or baby artichokes to the mix.
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Make-Ahead: Slice fennel and clean seafood up to 1 hour ahead; keep refrigerated until frying.
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Serving Suggestion: Accompany with aioli or a simple lemon-garlic mayo. enjoy fresh and hot!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, seafood
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Calories: 480
