Fritto Misto

Fritto MistoChristopher Testani
A good fritto misto crust is light and crunchy (thanks, cornstarch!). If the batter thickens as you work, thin it with a bit of soda water as needed.
Cooks' Notes:
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Here's our roster, but it's easy to vary. Not into squid? Up the shrimp!
1/4 small kabocha squash, very thinly sliced
1/2 small fennel bulb, very thinly sliced lengthwise
1 leek, white and pale green parts only, halved lengthwise, layers separated
1 lemon, very thinly sliced into rounds, seeds removed
2 ounces maitake or shiitake mushrooms, trimmed, torn into pieces
4 ounces large shrimp, peeled, deveined, halved
4 ounces squid or baby octopus tentacles
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup sage leaves