Bottura brings blue crab to the G7: from threat to resource – While the Dl Agricoltura (decree on agriculture) provided for the appointment of an extraordinary commissioner with an ad hoc fund to combat the proliferation of the crustacean and secure Philippine clam farms (which are also alien), starred cuisine had already cleared customs on the dreaded crustacean by including it on the menu of numerous restaurants.
Celebrity Chef Massimo Bottura had in fact been called upon to celebrate the flavours of our country at the G7 meeting held in Puglia at Borgo Egnazia. From Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 June, the Heads of State of Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America met, while representing the EU were European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen.
On the opening day, among the various dishes on the Modenese star-chef’s menu entitled ‘I’ll take you to Italy with me’ was an Adriatic fish soup, directly from the Venice lagoon, with steamed mussels, razor clams, blue crab, clams, red prawns, and aromatic herbs. Also congratulating Bottura was Paolo Caratossidis, a scholar of the phenomenon who had been active in recent months in a relentless information campaign to encourage consumption of the so-called ‘killer of the seas’ that was bringing together researchers, companies, and stakeholders:
“That the world’s most famous chef – Massimo Bottura – has chosen to valorize the blue crab bodes well for promoting truly sustainable fishing and consumption of this crustacean, which has gone from being an alien to becoming permanent in our seas and lagoons. Italian cuisine as a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Site can be an example on an international scale to embrace a truly sustainable cuisine concept.”
Enrico Artusi of the pasta factory of the same name, which first produced ravioli filled with blue crab, was also confident: “Abroad, blue crab has become a true blessing for small-scale fishing and coastal communities. Just think of Tunisia, which now even exports the pulp to Italy. In our country, the public has appreciated the qualities of the famous crustacean, but there has been a one-way narrative aimed at demonizing it that has discouraged the creation of a branched supply chain. We must promote the consumption of the crustacean – an excellent source of protein and nutrients – and stop sending tons of precious food to waste, as is unfortunately happening in the Po Delta. Together we can win this challenge.”
Bottura brings blue crab to the G7: from threat to resource
