The Sicilian icon
Red Prawns from Mazara in Milan
Caught in the Strait of Sicily, blast-frozen on board within hours, delivered refrigerated to Milan and surroundings. The closest you get to a Mazara fish market.
Free shipping over €150
Min order €100
Cold chain 0-4°C
Refrigerated transport
HACCP certified
Full traceability
Delivery Tue-Sat
By 1 PM
What is the Red Prawn of Mazara
The Aristaeomorpha foliacea, known as Red Prawn of Mazara, lives in the deep waters of the Strait of Sicily, between 400 and 700 metres. The Mazara del Vallo fleet has fished it for generations using selective bottom trawls and on-board blast-freezers that lock in flavour and texture within hours from capture. This is the only protocol that allows safe raw consumption.
Origin
Strait of Sicily, fleet of Mazara del Vallo, FAO 37.2.2 fishing area, full traceability per lot.
On-board freezing
Blast-freezing within hours from capture at -40°C. This is what makes the prawn safe and tasty for raw preparations.
Why it’s prized
Sweet and intense flavour, dense meat, deep red colour. Considered among the finest prawns in the Mediterranean.
Buy now
Red prawn calibres and tartare in stock
Real prices, real stock. Order today, refrigerated delivery from Tuesday to Saturday.
Calibres and formats
Different uses ask for different calibres. We work three sizes plus tartare and prawn roe, all packaged for restaurant and home use.
Large calibre
15-20 pieces per kg. Ideal raw or grilled, head-on for service.
Medium calibre
20-30 pieces per kg. Versatile for tartare, pasta, risotti.
Small calibre
30-40 pieces per kg. Excellent for sauces, fried preparations, finger food.
Tartare
Hand-cut tartare, vacuum-sealed packs ready to plate.
Prawn roe
Selected roe from large prawns, an umami amplifier for raw dishes.
Blast-frozen whole
Whole prawns blast-frozen at -40°C, ideal for restaurant stock.
How to store and cook it
Three preparations we recommend after years of testing in Mazara kitchens. Always thaw in the fridge for 12 hours, never at room temperature.
Raw, with sea salt and oil
Peel, leave the head and shell on the plate. Coarse salt, raw oil, drop of lemon. Texture and sweetness do the rest.
Tartare with citrus
Hand cut, season with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, lime zest and pink pepper. Serve immediately on chilled plate.
Grilled, head-on
High heat, two minutes per side, brush with oil after cooking, salt at the end. Suck the head: that is where the prawn lives.
Red prawn vs purple prawn vs scampo
Common confusions on Milan menus. Here is the short version, the way we explain it on calls.
Red prawn (Mazara)
Aristaeomorpha foliacea. Deep red shell, sweet, soft meat, mostly used raw or briefly cooked.
Purple prawn
Aristeus antennatus. Pinker tone, longer head spine, slightly more delicate flavour, used in similar preparations.
Scampo
Nephrops norvegicus. Different family, with claws. Firmer meat, ideal grilled, baked or in pasta.
Delivery in Milan and surroundings
Refrigerated transport at 0-4°C from our cold room to your kitchen. Tue-Sat delivery, 9 AM to 1 PM. Min order €100. Service on Milan, Monza, Cernusco sul Naviglio, Segrate, Vignate, Cologno Monzese, Vimodrone, Saronno.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the red prawns come from?
From the Mazara del Vallo fleet, fishing in the Strait of Sicily (FAO 37.2.2 zone). Each lot is traceable from capture to your address.
Are they blast-frozen on board?
Yes. Blast-freezing happens on board within hours from capture at -40°C. This is what makes the prawn safe to eat raw, as required for prized seafood.
How do I store and thaw them?
Keep at -18°C in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge at 0-4°C for 12 hours before consumption. Never refreeze a thawed product.
Which calibre should I order?
For raw or grilled service, large calibre (15-20 pcs/kg). For tartare and pasta, medium (20-30 pcs/kg). For sauces and fried, small (30-40 pcs/kg).
Do you supply restaurants and chefs?
Yes. We work with chefs across Lombardy, with custom calibres, scheduled deliveries and B2B invoicing. See the dedicated B2B page.
The Mazara red prawn, in Milan, refrigerated
Same prawns served in Sicily, on your table tomorrow morning. Order today.
