How to make Insalata di Mare

Why cooks start here

Insalata di Mare is cooked the way Campania cooks it — good olive oil used without counting, salt judged by hand, and no fuss about the plate. This is the home version, written down the way an Italian family cook actually puts it on the table.

Insalata di Mare is a classic from Campania, where the coastline's bounty meets a cook's intuition. It's a dish that embodies the essence of the sea, often gracing tables on warm evenings when friends gather under the stars. This home version celebrates simplicity, with ingredients that speak for themselves. The taste of Insalata di Mare should be bright and briny, with the olive oil lending a silky finish. Each bite delivers the tender chew of calamari, the sweet succulence of shrimp, and the delicate brine of mussels and clams. A squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of parsley bring everything into balance, making it a refreshing delight.