Italian menu translations - regional dishes (especially seafood)
 

Hi. Looking for a good resource that has English translations of the more unusual and/or regional menu items we come across in Italy. I'm especially interested in any that might have translations of fish and shellfish.

First, because my husband has apparently developed a food allergy to crab which he never had before. I understand that after a first mild reaction there is the potential to have a more severe one if exposed a second time, so we need to know all the possible names for crab so we don't mistakenly order a dish that includes it. Second, we both love zuppa di pesce-type dishes and often there's at least one mystery morsel that, while tasty, we can't identify.

I have the Marling Menu Master for Italy but it isn't that comprehensive for regional dishes. If you know of any other books or websites that might be helpful, please share. Thanks.

I would definitely stay away from ALL shellfish, especially in the Naples area.

Crab is "granchio" but they are rarely offered on a menu and are small and not worth the trouble ordering. Several years ago, I picked up a little book by Maureen Fant in Rome entitled "Eat like the Romans". Besides listing some unknown restaurants, it has a great glossary of food and a guide to seafood names. I don't know if you will be able to find it online. I've never seen it in a bookstore here, although her other book, a guide to the Trattorie of Venice, Florence and Rome, is widely available.

This is actually pretty serious. I just returned from Italy {florence]and my daughter who speaks italian of had difficulty woth the food issues as the servers did not always have a good knowledge of the dish itself. I have a serious seafood allergy [swordfish!] and my way of dealing with it is to scan the menue ...if they serve swordfish in ANY way I eat chicken or veal. You cannot count on the contents of seafood stock or filler.I would also get and carry an Epi-pen as a second exposure to shell fish can be deadly. I do not mean to scare you but when u do not know and have no control over kitchen issues compounded by young or casual servers you have some things to think about.

If your husband is allergic to crab then he may well be allergic to other crustaceans (shrimp, lobster, crayfish, etc.). Items on menus will be described with the local name, not necessarily consistent from place to place (do you know the difference between a prawn in the western U.S. and a prawn in the U.K., for instance? because they are different), and you can't predict whether your husband will be sensitive.

I would make a point of NOT ordering anything even remotely like zuppa di pesce items (even if there's no actual crab in the dish the stock or commercial base may have been enriched by adding crustacean shells), and being careful about sauces on top of things like veal or fin fish.

Seafood/frutti di mare is a big part of the diet in lots of Italy, particularly popular in restaurants.

I agree with avoiding all shellfish unless you know for certain crab is the only culprit.

And most importantly, I would find out before you leave AND follow the recommendations of a licensed physician and ONLY a physician or other allergy specialist as to how you should be prepared to deal with a possible fatal anaphylactic shock emergency when on the road.

Just wanted to say thanks very much for the good advice. I didn't even think of the possibilities re: stocks and sauces with hidden crab.

So after reading that, off my husband went to the allergy doctor to be tested. He didn't react to any of the seafood test shots, including the one for crab. The doctor said it's not so unusual - lots of things can make someone develop hives and it could have been just coincidence. But he prescribed allergy medicine and two EpiPens which we will take with us to Italy just in case.

I am still wondering though why Budman advised against any shellfish in Naples...I've had plenty of pasta with clams and fish-based sauces and haven't had a problem. Budman if you're still around can you explain?

How do you say shrimp in Italian?I am allergic!

Gamberi/Gamberetti (little shrimps)