pasta ai frutti di mare
The English phrase seafood pasta is pasta ai frutti di mare in Italian.
This phrase describes a pasta dish prepared with various types of shellfish and other sea creatures. When naming this dish in Italian, the main ingredient or sauce is placed after the word pasta using the preposition ai or con. While pasta is a generic term, it is very common to see the dish specified by a specific shape, such as spaghetti ai frutti di mare (spaghetti with seafood). Common ingredients you might encounter in such a dish include gamberetti (shrimp), cozze (mussels) and vongole (clams).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Campania region, a specific seafood pasta known as Scialatielli ai Frutti di Mare can be found.
Did you know?
- Adding cheese to pasta ai frutti di mare is considered a serious culinary mistake in Italy and is often viewed as an insult to the flavor of the seafood.
- The word frutti in this dish is the plural of frutto, which means 'fruit' in English. While English speakers might expect a word for 'seafood', Italians literally describe the dish as 'pasta with the fruits of the sea'.
- The word mare in frutti di mare shares a common prehistoric root with the English word 'mere', which is an old term for a lake or pool.
Examples in context
- Vorrei ordinare un piatto di pasta ai frutti di mare, per favore.I would like to order a plate of seafood pasta, please.
- Che ne dici di preparare oggi una squisita pasta con il pesce?What do you think about making a delicious seafood pasta today?
- Mi piace cucinare pasta ai frutti di mare utilizzando solo ingredienti freschi provenienti dal mercato locale.I enjoy cooking seafood pasta using only fresh ingredients from the local market.
- Mi raccomando, non dimenticare di accompagnare la pasta ai frutti di mare con un buon bicchiere di vino bianco!I highly recommend not forgetting to pair the seafood pasta with a good glass of white wine!
- Vorrei la pasta ai frutti di mare.I would like the seafood pasta.
- La pasta ai frutti di mare è molto buona.The seafood pasta is very good.
- Hai ordinato la pasta ai frutti di mare?Did you order the seafood pasta?
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Chiara are looking at a restaurant menu.
- LorenzoChiara, cosa ordini da mangiare?Chiara, what are you ordering to eat?
- ChiaraPrendo la pasta ai frutti di mare.I'll have the seafood pasta.
- LorenzoOttima scelta, è molto buona qui.Great choice, it's very good here.
- ChiaraSpero che sia fresca!I hope it is fresh!
