Light and Crispy Fritto Misto
- 2 to 3 quarts peanut, grapeseed or other vegetable oil
- 4 cleaned whole squid (about 1 pound)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 baby artichokes
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 lemons (1 sliced very thin; the other cut into wedges)
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced very thin
- 1 large handful fresh parsley leaves, plus chopped parsley for sprinkling
- 1 small handful fresh rosemary leaves
- Heat the oil: Fill a large, heavy-based saucepan about halfway with oil.
- Begin to heat the oil over medium heat but don't let it get ripping until you have everything else ready to go.
- Prepare the squid and vegetables: Separate the bodies and the tentacles of the squid.
- If the squid are big, cut the tentacles in half.
- Cut the squid bodies open so they lie flat, then cut into 1/4-inch-thick, 1 1/2-inch-long strips.
- Soak the squid in the milk while you prepare the rest of the fritto misto.
- Trim the artichoke stems and remove the outer leaves.
- Slice them very thinly through the stem end.
- (If you have true baby artichokes, you don't have to worry about the choke; if you can only find large artichokes, remove the spiny choke before slicing.)
- Trim the ends off the zucchini and slice lengthwise about 1/4 inch thick, then cut into 1 1/2-inch-long sticks.
- Set up your fry station: On a sheet pan or large platter, combine the flour, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
- Have the sliced lemon, garlic, parsley and rosemary prepared and nearby.
- Line a platter with paper towels or parchment paper.
- Increase the heat of the oil until it reaches 375 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
- Meanwhile, drain the squid; toss the squid, artichokes and zucchini in the flour.
- Shake the baking sheet back and forth to coat the ingredients.
- Once the oil is up to temperature, add about one-third of the floured goods, plus a few of the lemon and garlic slices, and let cook for about 1 minute.
- Add about a third of the rosemary and the parsley and continue to cook until the vegetables and squid are a light golden brown, another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Using a spider or a Chinese strainer (or as a last resort, a slotted spoon), transfer the fried foods to the lined platter to drain.
- Season with more salt and chopped parsley and serve with the lemon wedges.
- This is best served hot, so let your guests dig in while you begin cooking the next batch.
- Photograph by David Malosh
peanut, milk, baby artichokes, zucchini, flour, kosher salt, lemons, garlic, handful fresh parsley, rosemary
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/scott-conant/light-and-crispy-fritto-misto-recipe.html (may not work)