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Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Marinated Neonata: a Delicate and Aromatic Sicilian Starter

Marinated Neonata: a Delicate and Aromatic Sicilian Starter

Discover how to prepare marinated neonata, a traditional Sicilian starter featuring tender young blue fish cured in lemon and olive oil!

Author: Vito Costa • Published on: November 19, 2021
Categories: Starters
Tags: lemons blue fish fry extra-virgin olive oil black pepper parsley salt
⏱️
Prep Time
about 20 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
No cooking required
👥
Serve
Serves 4
📊
Difficulty
Easy
💰 Moderate
🗓️ Spring
⭐ 4.7/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • ✓ 600g young blue fish
  • ✓ 4 lemons
  • ✓ a small bunch of parsley
  • ✓ 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ✓ Salt, to taste
  • ✓ Freshly ground black pepper

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
210 kcal
Carbohydrates
2 g
Fat
16 g
Protein
18 g

If you're after a light, fragrant starter with a truly authentic taste of the sea, marinated neonata is a wonderful choice. In Sicily, ‘nunnata’ refers to the fresh young blue fish, prized for its delicate texture and flavour. This recipe gently enhances its freshness with a simple marinade of lemon, olive oil and parsley — a refined dish that makes for a perfect beginning to any fish lunch.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Gently rinse the young fish under running water, taking care not to disturb it too much as it's very delicate.

  2. 2

    Drain thoroughly in a colander and remove any impurities or bits of seaweed.

  3. 3

    Place the neonata in a deep-sided dish and pour over the filtered lemon juice.

  4. 4

    Cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for about an hour.

  5. 5

    Once marinated, drain the fish and dress with extra virgin olive oil, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

  6. 6

    Gently mix and sprinkle generously with finely chopped parsley.

  7. 7

    Serve chilled, accompanied by crusty bread slices or a fresh salad.

💡 Tips and Variations

For an extra aromatic touch, you can add a few drops of white wine vinegar or a little grated lemon zest. If fresh neonata is hard to find, opt for good-quality frozen whitebait, allowing it to thaw slowly in the fridge.

📦 Storage

  • • Keep the marinated neonata covered with cling film in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
  • • Do not freeze the marinated fish to preserve its delicate texture.
  • • Always serve well chilled, straight from the fridge.

🍷 Pairing

Pair this delicate dish with a glass of Contea di Sclafani Ansonica, a crisp, savoury Sicilian white wine that really brings out the subtle flavours of the fish.

I do hope you give this lovely Sicilian starter a whirl — it's a wonderfully fresh and elegant way to bring a little taste of the Mediterranean to your table. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, it’s sure to become a firm favourite for sunny lunches or light suppers. Do let me know how you get on, and don’t be shy about adding your own little twists to make it truly your own!

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