Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Tuna Bottarga Antipasto - A Refined Taste of the Sicilian Sea
Create an elegant Sicilian antipasto of tuna bottarga, a delicate, marine-inspired starter with sunny Mediterranean character.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 200 g tuna bottarga, thinly sliced
- ✓ Extra virgin olive oil (preferably Sicilian), to taste
- ✓ Juice of 1 lemon
- ✓ Freshly ground black pepper
- ✓ Toasted bread or crostini (optional)
📊 Nutritional Information
If you’re looking to impress with a starter that is both refined and effortlessly simple, this Sicilian-style tuna bottarga antipasto is a perfect choice. With its bold salinity balanced by the brightness of lemon and the fruity depth of good olive oil, it captures the very essence of Sicily’s coastal spirit.
The flavours of Trapani, Marzamemi and the eastern shores of Siracusa are all here - sun-drenched, marine, and unmistakably Mediterranean. It’s an ideal beginning to a seafood lunch or an elegant dinner, offering a taste that is clean, polished and yet deeply rooted in tradition.
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal preparation, this antipasto shows how Sicilian cuisine elevates simplicity into something extraordinary.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Slice the tuna bottarga very thinly using a sharp knife.
- 2
Arrange the slices on a serving plate, ideally ceramic, and drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil.
- 3
Leave to rest for about an hour at room temperature to soften slightly and develop flavour.
- 4
Just before serving, add a few drops of lemon juice and a light scattering of freshly ground black pepper.
- 5
Serve with toasted bread or crostini.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a gourmet finish, add a little grated lemon zest or a drizzle of orange blossom honey to soften the bottarga’s briny intensity. If you prefer a richer starter, garnish with raw artichoke slices or finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
📦 Storage
- • Keep sliced bottarga in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- • Add the lemon only at the last moment to avoid altering the texture.
- • A whole piece of bottarga will keep for months, wrapped in parchment and stored in a cool, dry place.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this antipasto with a chilled glass of Inzolia from Sciacca. Its fruity notes and gentle acidity complement the savoury elegance of the bottarga beautifully.
A simple yet sophisticated starter, Sicilian tuna bottarga brings the authentic flavours of the island’s coastline straight to your table. Its purity and strength of character make it a memorable introduction to any meal.
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