It’s widely believed the “scampi” refers to the style of cooking the shrimp — and this usage is typically accepted — though it’s not totally technically accurate. The word “scampi” is Italian for a type of small crustacean akin to a mini lobster.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi From Scratch
OK, we’ve nerded out enough. Let’s make shrimp scampi!
- Warm the oil and butter, then add garlic.
- Pour in the wine, and let the whole fragrant thing simmer until its reduced by half. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes (if you like your scampi with a kick).
- Sauté the shrimp in the buttery, garlicky sauce just until its cooked through. Watch for a bright pink color and taste for doneness around the 3-minute mark.
- Serve! Or, if you want to make the scampi sauce more sauce-y—for example, if youre planning to toss the finished scampi with pasta and want enough sauce to coat the noodles—add a quarter cup of pasta cooking water to the sautéed shrimp mixture to make more of a sauce.
Why Is It Called Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp scampi. Buttery, garlicky, shrimp-y. You know you love it. But what, exactly, is it? Well, if you’re a little vague on the exact definition of shrimp scampi, guess what? You’re not alone and you’re not “wrong.” Shrimp scampi means different things to different people, but it always involves butter, garlic and shrimp. For some people, it’s just not shrimp scampi if it’s not served over angel hair pasta. For others, pan-fried, buttery shrimp are simply served as-is, alongside some crusty bread for dipping. Some add wine, some add tomatoes. Most people add lemon. But there’s no right or wrong. And why is that? Well—like so many of our very favorite recipes—shrimp scampi is not actually a classic Italian recipe, it’s Italian American in origin.
“Scampi” is the Italian word for langoustine, a type of crustacean that’s common in Europe (scampi are also called Norway lobsters and Dublin Bay prawns) and is much bigger than even jumbo shrimp that we’re used to eating here in the U.S. In Italy, a quick sauté in butter, olive oil and garlic (and sometimes white wine) is the traditional way to serve these sweet, pink-fleshed clawed crustaceans. Does this mean that “shrimp scampi” kind of means “shrimp shrimp”? We like to think so.
But in all seriousness, a more accurate interpretation would be to think of the name “shrimp scampi” as meaning that you cook regular shrimp (the kind that’s easy to find here in the U.S.) in the same style as scampi (langoustines) would traditionally be cooked in Italy.
Gordon Ramsay Cooks Shrimp Scampi In Just 10 Minutes | Ramsay in 10
FAQ
What is the difference between scampi and shrimp scampi?
What is the meaning of the name scampi?
What makes a scampi a scampi?
What does the cooking term scampi mean?
What is shrimp scampi?
Shrimp scampi is a variation of the Italian “scampi” dish that substitutes the “scampi” part of the dish with fresh shrimps. The scampi is just another species of crustacean incase you’re wondering. The genesis of this dish is tied with the United States and its early Italian immigrants. Or put simply, the Italian-Americans!
What is the difference between prawn and shrimp?
Shrimp and prawns have plenty of similarities, but they are not the same animal. Their differences involve their biology. Shrimp bodies are encased in a sort of accordion shell, with a membrane between the segments. Prawns have a shell where each segment overlaps the one below it. There are no big differences between them when it comes to their nutritional value; they are both a good source of protein, and relatively low in calories.
Why is it called scampi?
And one of the main reasons is because of its name. It’s widely believed the “scampi” refers to the style of cooking the shrimp — and this usage is typically accepted — though it’s not totally technically accurate. The word “scampi” is Italian for a type of small crustacean akin to a mini lobster.
Who invented shrimp scampi?
Early Italian immigrants in the United States invented the Shrimp Scampi back then in the late 19th to early 20 th century. In the Italian language, scampi is the plural form of the word “scampo” used to referred to a certain type of crustacean called “langoustine” which on the surface, is nothing but another variation of the lobster family.