Antipasto Mantovano – Mantuan Fish Appetizer Recipe

This Mantuan appetizer, based on fish and vegetables, is prepared with boiled carrots, then browned with minced garlic and mixed with mussels on a slice of bread.

Region: Lombardia / Lombardy
Difficulty: Low
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients for 4 servings:

400g Carrots
4 cloves Garlic
1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
20 Mussels
1 tablespoon Parmigiano Reggiano DOP
1 sprig Parsley
1 Spring onions
Salt, to taste
Pepper, as needed
5 Bread buns

Preparation instructions:

1. Wash the carrots, boil them and sift them. Pour the puree into a saucepan containing two tablespoons of oil with the minced garlic, salt and pepper and let it simmer while stirring.
2. Put the pan on the fire and let the mixture dry. Turn off the heat and add the chopped parsley and parmesan to the carrot puree.
3. Separately, open the mussels in a pan over medium heat; take the soft parts and transfer them to another pan, to gently stew the chopped onion, salt and pepper with a tablespoon of oil.
4. At this point, toast the bread buns cut in two horizontally in the oven. Spread the carrot cream on them and place a whole, well-drained mussel in the center of each square. Serve.