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Prosciutto-Wrapped Soft-Shell Crab Cigars with Shaved Radish and Arugula Salad

Although these savory, salty little bundles are a little too fat to truly resemble cigars, rolling the crabs in the prosciutto does employ a technique used by skilled workers in Cuba. It might also seem familiar to you if you’ve ever hand-rolled anything in papers. For directions on cleaning the soft-shell crabs, see page 32. Make sure you go easy on the salt in this dish because the prosciutto already contains plenty.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

4 (3- to 4-ounce) soft-shell crabs, cleaned
Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper
4 long slices prosciutto
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
12 French breakfast radishes, trimmed and shaved with a mandoline
2 cups loosely packed baby arugula leaves
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Season the crabs lightly with salt and pepper on both sides. Lay out the slices of prosciutto with the short end facing you. Place a crab on each of the short ends and roll up, tucking in the claws as you go.

    Step 2

    In a large sauté pan over high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the wrapped crabs and sear for about 2 minutes per side, until the prosciutto is crispy and the crabs are cooked through.

    Step 3

    Dress the radishes and arugula leaves with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the lemon juice, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.

    Step 4

    Divide the salad among 4 plates, mounding it slightly. Place a cooked, wrapped crab on top of each. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

Ethan Stowell's New Italian Kitchen
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