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moscardini

little octopuses

Not baby octopuses (polpi), but curled octopuses (eledone cirrhosa), cousins of the big boys, common in the Mediterranean and caught when they measure 15-20cm.

A moscardino also means dormouse. Preserved in jars, then stuffed and roasted, these were a delicacy for the ancient Etruscans and Romans. In Croatia and Slovenia, they still are.

Also known as fragoline di mare.

Fish & Seafood

Text © Dana Facaros & Michael Pauls

Images by carlton, penierieformelli