Fritto Misto Recipe: How to Make Fritto Misto With Calamari
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jul 29, 2024 • 2 min read
In Italy, fritto misto or “fried mix,” is a lightly battered and deep-fried medley of fresh seafood and vegetables.
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What Is Fritto Misto?
In Italian, fritto misto translates to “fried mix.” It is commonly served as an antipasto, an appetizer, of fried seafood in a light batter. Because the breading for fritto misto uses club soda, the batter is much lighter than traditional American fried chicken. Fried squid, shrimp, and other seafood are typically mixed with fried vegetables like fennel and zucchini.
Fritto misto is often served with a dipping sauce such as aioli, pesto, or whipped ricotta, or it can be served simply with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top. Deep-frying requires a high temperature, so using a high-heat neutral oil like vegetable or canola rather than olive oil is best. You can use a deep fryer, but a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot will also work.
Popular Ingredients to Fry for a Fritto Misto
You can make fritto misto with a mixture of various seafood and vegetables. Popular ingredients include:
- 1. Calamari and octopus: Fried squid is a classic fixture of fritto misto. You can fry one-inch sliced calamari rings in one to two minutes. Baby octopus is another common fritto misto ingredient.
- 2. Shrimp: To prepare shrimp for fritto misto, peel and devein, then cut four to five quarter-inch-deep notches into the back of each shellfish so that it will lie flat. Depending on size, shrimp cook in about two minutes.
- 3. Wild mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms add a savory, earthy flavor to a fritto misto basket. They'll take one to two minutes to fry.
- 4. Zucchini: Try unpeeled slices of squash in fritto misto. Thin slices will take about two minutes to cook.
- 5. Artichoke: Using a sharp knife, cut and discard the outer petals of the artichoke. Once the hard outer layer of the artichoke petals is removed, you can then divide the softer inner petals. Artichoke leaves will cook in two to three minutes.
- 6. Fennel: Thinly sliced fennel adds a refreshing vegetal addition to fritto misto. Slices take about one minute to cook.
- 7. Other seafood: Small fish fillets and scallops add variety to fritto misto. Depending on the thickness, they take two to four minutes to cook.
Italian Calamari Fritto Misto Recipe
makes
prep time
20 mintotal time
40 mincook time
20 minIngredients
For the dipping sauce
For the fritto misto
- 1
Make the dipping sauce. In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lemon zest, capers, and mustard. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
- 2
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Line a plate with paper towels.
- 3
Fill a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with enough vegetable oil to create a 2-inch layer. Warm over medium heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 4
In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of each black pepper and salt. Whisk in club soda until smooth.
- 5
In batches, dip the squid, shrimp, fennel, and parsley in the batter and carefully transfer to the hot oil. Cook, turning and stirring as needed, until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes.
- 6
Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a prepared paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
- 7
Transfer all fritto misto to the prepared baking sheet and bake until hot and golden, about 3 minutes.
- 8
Serve immediately with sauce and lemon wedges.
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