what the difference was between gamberi, gamberetti, gambarone. Where can I find the closest thing to shrimp scampi with the traditional seafood for the dish? I've learned that shrimp is not used, but rather a type of lobster. If so, which one is it, and if possible, where are these found mainly?

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Risposte

martasick

28 set 2019

Paese o regione Italia

Gamberi, gamberetti, gamberoni= the difference's just in the size.

Scampi are basically a different crustacean. I am pretty sure you can ask in any fish shop (pescheria) or market whether they have them. And if they don't, they may know where you can look for them

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gioglifx

29 set 2019

Paese o regione Stati Uniti

@martasick thanks! is it in that order in size?

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martasick

29 set 2019

Paese o regione Italia

@gioglifx gamberetti are the very small ones, gamberi are the average size and gamberoni are the big ones!

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gioglifx

29 set 2019

Paese o regione Stati Uniti

@martasick thank you very much!!!! what's the Italian name or version of the America "shrimp scampi"? I'd like to know to be able to search it online. I'm going back to stay in Rome, visit napoli and venice for a day next month. I'd like to try the local scampi and if there's a "traditional" or "local" version like shrimp scampi like here in the US... hope that's clear

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martasick

30 set 2019

Paese o regione Italia

@gioglifx right, the italian name is just Scampi. Depending on the place you go they may be cooked differently according to the local traditional recepies. For example, in Rome it's pretty common to have scampi risotto with cream. I've been thinking for most of my life that was the basic traditional italian scampi risotto, but then I found out that in other regions, as for in Marche, the idea of scampi risotto with cream is just unacceptable, they cook risotto just with the scampi grave. As for the type of scampi, there might be many but I am not expert and on the restaurants' menu I just read "scampi", so I don't know much about the varieties

sailorcya

30 set 2019

Paese o regione Italia

I might be wrong, but I think what you in American call "shrimp scampi" is just shrimp, so "gambero" in italian.
This name is a bit confusing for us because "shrimps" are "gamberi" while "scampo" is a different animal, like a type of lobster indeed. But we eat shrimps too! Actually there is plenty of recipes in Italy with both and they can vary a lot depending on the region.
Here are some pictures of recipes with shrimps (gamberi):
https://www.google.com/search?q=ricette+con+gam...

Here are some recipes with scampi:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ricette+con+sca...

As you can see they are visibly different and the taste is actually quite different as well. Scampi are more delicate and also much more expensive.
I think the closest thing to the american recipe would be something with gamberi? What do you think?

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gioglifx

30 set 2019

Paese o regione Stati Uniti

@martasick @sailorcya you both are amazing!

Thank you so very much for your extended replies.. that opens up a lot for me and have a better understanding of the difference. Grazie mille! I'll look into the recipes and I'll be able to now "see" better when I look for these at restaurants/markets.

@martasick, I'll give the Rome version a try for sure! It's interesting, though makes sense now, that other regions wouldn't see that version as appetizing. But, for sure now knowing the names, I'm armed to ask as it comes, I'll know which it is, it's just going to be how it's "cooked".

@sailorcya, I agree with you that gamberi is the closest we use instead. Thank you very much for the Google links, that helped tremendously to visualize it as well.

Again, thank you BOTH!

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