Best Chilled Italian Seafood Salad Recipes

ITALIAN SEAFOOD SALAD (INSALATA DI MARE) RECIPE

Steps:

• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss shrimp with salt and baking soda and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Pick all but 10 mussels from their shells, discarding shells. Cut shrimp in half lengthwise down the middle. In a medium bowl, combine parsley, remaining 1/2 cup (120ml) lemon juice, lemon zest, remaining 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil, remaining 2 minced cloves garlic, cayenne pepper, and coriander seed (if using). Whisk well.

ITALIAN SEAFOOD SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together lemon zest, juice, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and garlic. Whisk in oil and chopped parsley.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot, bring 4 quarts water, 6 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 cup salt to a boil. Add squid and blanch until just tender, 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon or a spider, transfer squid to an ice bath to stop cooking. Once cool, drain squid and lay on paper towels to dry; transfer to bowl with dressing.
• Return water to a boil. Add shrimp, stir once, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand 3 minutes; using a slotted spoon, remove to a plate to cool slightly; pat dry and transfer to bowl with squid. Return water to a boil and add mussels, reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until mussels open, 3 to 5 minutes (discard any unopened mussels). Drain and transfer to a plate to cool. Remove all but 10 mussels from their shells and add to bowl with seafood. Reserve mussels in shell for serving.
• Toss dressed seafood with fennel, bell pepper, celery, crab, and parsley leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, with reserved mussels and lemon wedges, or store, covered, in the refrigerator, for up to 8 hours.

SHRIMP PASTA SALAD WITH ITALIAN DRESSING

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Run pasta under cold water and let cool in a large mixing bowl.
• Add shrimp, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, broccoli, vinegar, garlic, oil, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Toss well, coating everything with the spices, oil, and vinegar. Chill for at least 1 hour.
• Serve cold; sprinkle Parmesan over individual servings.

ITALIAN MARINATED SEAFOOD SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boiling. Cook scallops, shrimp, mussels, and calamari in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain. Peel the shrimp, and shell the scallops and mussels.
• Place cooked seafood and olives in a large bowl, and toss with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, parsley, chives, and red pepper flakes. Chill for 1 hour.
• Divide salad greens onto 6 plates or salad bowls. Spoon seafood over greens. Garnish with slices of lemon and red onions. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.