Blog - The mantis shrimp and why we love this seafood delicacy

The mantis shrimp, an exquisite crustacean

Every year, between mid-February and mid-March, the Gastronomic Days of the Mantis Shrimp are celebrated in the Terres de l’Ebre. Several restaurants in the fishing villages of Alcanar, l’Ametlla de Mar, l’Ampolla and La Ràpita offer menus dedicated to this exquisite crustacean.

If you have visited the Ebro Delta in spring, summer or autumn, chances are you may never have had the opportunity to taste the mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis), a high-quality local crustacean typical of the Terres de l’Ebre.

This crustacean, abundant in areas close to deltas where the waters are rich in nutrients, is an excellent source of high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals. Unlike other crustaceans, mantis shrimp is low in calories, easy to digest and highly appreciated in seafood cuisine for its intense flavour.

Not so many years ago, mantis shrimp was used only for broths and rice dishes, or simply fried and enjoyed by dipping bread into the delicious mix of olive oil and its natural juices.

Fortunately, like many other local products, mantis shrimp has gone from being a humble ingredient to a prestigious delicacy, with nothing to envy from prawns or langoustines. Nowadays, it can be enjoyed cooked in many different ways.

The best time of the year to eat mantis shrimp is during January and February, when the animal is at its fullest and its meat is at its tastiest. This is precisely why the gastronomic festival dedicated to mantis shrimp takes place during this season. A perfect excuse to visit our region and discover its outstanding gastronomy. Discover it! !

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