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Venetian-Style Soft-Shell Crabs — traditional dish from Venice, Italy
Main course Fish & Seafood

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥600kcal
💪34gProtein
🌾35gCarbs
🥑35gFat
🌿2gFibre
⚖️200 gServing

* Per serving · 200 g. May vary.

Allergens

🦐 Shellfish 🌾 Gluten

Venetian-Style Soft-Shell Crabs

How to order / say it
Say it Moeche Fritte — [MOH-eh-keh FREE-tteh]
Order I'd like the moeche fritte, please.
Locally Vorrei le moeche fritte, per favore.
Say locally

Deep-fried soft-shell crabs, a Venetian delicacy.

Why try it?

Moeche, only available in Venice's lagoon during specific seasons, epitomizes the city’s unique biodiversity and the traditional lifestyle of its fishermen, offering a truly Venetian seasonal experience.

How it tastes

Crispy and rich, these crabs have a sweet and oceanic flavor. The texture is a delightful contrast of crunchy batter and tender, juicy crab meat.

Origin & History — first documented: 1550

This dish dates back to the 16th century, celebrating the cohabitation of man and the lagoon. The seasonal nature of moeche embodies the Venetian respect for natural rhythms.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🦐 6 soft-shell crabs
  • 🌾 200 g all-purpose flour
  • 🥚 2 egg
  • 🫒 100 ml olive oil
  • 🧂 to taste salt
  • 🍋 1, wedges lemon

Method

  1. 1 Clean crabs and coat them in flour.
  2. 2 Beat eggs and dip crabs in them.
  3. 3 Deep-fry crabs in hot olive oil until golden brown.
  4. 4 Serve with a sprinkle of salt and lemon wedges.

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All Europe recipes — Italy — Venice — Venetian-Style Soft-Shell Crabs
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