Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Linguine with Scampi: A Timeless Sicilian Classic
Discover how to make linguine with fresh scampi, a beloved Sicilian dish bursting with vibrant seaside flavours.
📖 What is it
Discover how to make linguine with fresh scampi, a beloved Sicilian dish bursting with vibrant seaside flavours.
🛒 Ingredients
▸ For the pasta
- ✓ 240 g linguine
- ✓ 400 g fresh scampi
- ✓ 1 clove of garlic
- ✓ 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- ✓ 6 Pachino cherry tomatoes
- ✓ Extra virgin olive oil
- ✓ Freshly chopped parsley
- ✓ Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
▸ For the shellfish stock
- ✓ Scampi shells and heads
- ✓ 1 clove of garlic
- ✓ Half a glass of white wine
- ✓ 500 ml water
- ✓ A bunch of fresh parsley
- ✓ Extra virgin olive oil
📊 Nutritional Information
Join me on a journey along Sicily’s sun-kissed shores with this exceptional dish that captures the essence of the Mediterranean. Linguine with scampi brings together the warmth of the island sun and the fresh sea breeze in a celebration of simple, authentic flavours that evoke long summer evenings by the coast.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Clean the scampi: keep a couple whole for garnish, then shell the rest, removing the heads and shells. Make a shallow cut along the back and remove the dark vein.
- 2
Make the stock: gently fry the scampi shells along with olive oil, garlic, and parsley in a pan. Pour in the white wine, then add the water. Simmer on a low heat for 45 minutes before straining.
- 3
Halve the cherry tomatoes. In a frying pan, sweat the garlic in a drizzle of olive oil, add the tomatoes, and cook over a high heat for 5 minutes.
- 4
Add the whole scampi and peeled tails to the pan, pour in the white wine, season with salt, pepper, and parsley. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the scampi and keep the cooking liquid in the pan.
- 5
Cook the linguine in salted boiling water for half the time indicated. Drain and transfer to the pan with the cooking liquid.
- 6
Ladle in two scoops of warm shellfish stock and continue cooking the linguine ‘risotto style’, gradually adding more stock as it absorbs.
- 7
Towards the end, return the scampi and tomatoes to the pan, drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and gently toss everything together.
- 8
Serve piping hot, sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a richer finish, try tossing the linguine with a knob of butter and some shavings of mature Pecorino cheese – it adds a lovely depth and silkiness.
- •
Use a wide, heavy-based pan to toss the linguine; this helps the sauce coat the pasta evenly, lending a creamy, indulgent finish.
- •
If you’d prefer a lighter, vegetarian twist, substitute the scampi with meaty mushrooms like honey fungus or cardoncelli for a satisfying texture.
- •
Enhance your shellfish stock with a small piece of kombu seaweed to boost the umami and intensify that wonderful seaside flavour.
- •
For a vegan adaptation, swap the scampi for soy ‘prawns’ or marinated tofu, and toss in some powdered dried seaweed to recreate the marine notes.
- •
Low and slow is key when reducing the stock, allowing the flavours to concentrate fully and the scampi to become tender and fragrant.
📦 Storage
- • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the freshness intact for the following day.
- • When reheating, add a splash of shellfish stock or broth to revive the creamy texture without drying out the pasta.
- • Shellfish stock can be made in advance and frozen for up to a month, perfect for boosting the flavour of any seafood dish.
🍷 Pairing
This dish pairs beautifully with a chilled glass of Sicilian Grillo, a crisp, citrusy white that highlights the delicate sweetness of the scampi.
Alternatively, opt for an Inzolia with its elegant body and floral notes, which complements the complexity of the shellfish stock.
If you fancy something a little different, a Ligurian Vermentino brings a refreshing minerality that balances the briny depth of this seaside feast.
I do hope you’ll give these linguine with scampi a try at home – they’re a wonderful way to bring a little Sicilian sunshine to your table. Perfect for sharing with family or friends, this dish combines simple ingredients into something truly special. So gather your loved ones, pour a glass of your favourite white, and let the flavours of the Mediterranean transport you to those dreamy summer evenings by the sea.
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