
What is bottarga?
Bottarga is a form of dried, cured fish roe sacs, usually mullet roe, but less frequently the roe sacs of tuna. If you're not familiar with the terminology, roe means eggs.
Where can I buy Bottarga in New York?
For those readers who live in New York City, the two locations of Eataly regularly carry bottarga, and specialty shops like Un Posto Italiano regularly stock bottarga, too. I generally buy and use the Sardinian mullet bottarga imported by Gustiamo, which you can purchase through Amazon, or from Gustiamo directly.
Does bottarga need to be refrigerated?
Once the wrapper is opened, it's best to keep it in the fridge, where it will keep, tightly wrapped, for 3 to 6 months. Note that bottarga should not be served cold (although chilling or even freezing it can help to slice it thinly).
What is the difference between bottarga and karasumi?
The Bottarga made from tuna roe has a more robust dried fish flavor. Plus, it is much saltier. The mullet roe is less salty and has the fishiness level similar to caviar and Uni. In Japan and China, the drying process of the Karasumi is shorter.

Where can I get bottarga?
Bottarga is a specialty item, and, as such, you'll have to seek it out at Italian specialty stores or online—Amazon has quite a large selection. For those readers who live in New York City, the two locations of Eataly regularly carry bottarga, and specialty shops like Un Posto Italiano regularly stock bottarga, too.
Is bottarga like caviar?
Bottarga is the Italian word for salted, cured fish roe. Often called “the poor man's caviar,” fish eggs have been preserved this way for centuries and are popular both in the Mediterranean and in Asia.
What is bottarga good?
It's best to think of bottarga as a condiment. A small amount, grated on a microplane grater, is enough to transform a dish of pasta, rice, pizza, or even eggs. It's often referred to as the prosciutto of the sea, and its salt-cured flavor is indeed similar to prosciutto or country ham.
How long will bottarga last?
Bottarga is sold either vacuum-packed or sealed in beeswax. As long as it hasn't been opened, it's best if used within 15 months but will still be fine for two or three years. Bottarga is sensitive to ultraviolet light, so it is best stored in a dry and dark place.
Why is bottarga so expensive?
Both bottarga and caviar undergo a salting and curing process before being converted into the final product, but due to the differences in sourcing criteria, caviar is significantly more expensive, commanding anywhere between $100 to $1,000 an ounce.
What can I use instead of bottarga?
Shad roe is a good one to use for bottarga, but the Sardinians use mullet or tuna roe. You could also use halibut, herring, flounder, white seabass, weakfish, or mackerel.
How do you eat Botarga?
Bottarga is delicious sliced into thin strips. Serve it as an appetizer: shaved into an elegant thin strip, placed on a piece of toasted bread with lemon zest and EVOO. Use sliced bottarga in your salads. Try it with artichoke salad or celery salad, of course with lots of EVOO.
How do you say bottarga?
0:010:23How to pronounce bottarga - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOtorga otorga tal carga tal carga otorga.MoreOtorga otorga tal carga tal carga otorga.
Does bottarga have gluten?
Bottarga is a kind of salted cured fish roe that generally comes from the grey mullet or bluefin tuna and is a popular produce of the Mediterranean region. This delicious gluten free spaghetti recipe utilises this special kind of roe and incorporates it into a dish that is absolutely delicious.
What is whipped bottarga?
Bottarga - a 'delicacy' of salted/cured fish roe mixed w whipped cream. Overall, it's rich and creamy, in a sweet way with no hint of 🐟 actually.
What are tuna eggs called?
Bottarga is a delicacy of salted, cured fish roe pouch, typically of the grey mullet or the bluefin tuna (bottarga di tonno).
Is mullet roe expensive?
These unadorned fish make their migratory run offshore every year in the beginning Fall to spawn from November to January. And its only during this season, the female mullet roe are highly priced, which can be worth over $100 a pound at retail once cured & dried.
How do you eat bottarga?
Bottarga is wonderful to eat with vegetables, grated over almost any starch or grain, or just on its own, sliced paper thin and seasoned with a little salt or soy sauce, a squeeze of lemon, and a slick of flavorful oil. Stash it in the fridge and pull it out for special occasions; treat it like the luxury it is!
What is Sardinian bottarga?
Bottarga is salt-cured, air-dried roe from Grey Mullet Fish. Enjoyed for millennia in the Middle East and Mediterranean, exquisite Bottarga evokes the essence of the ocean, with brisk and complex umami gliding toward a sweet, nutty finish.
How long does bottarga last in fridge?
Bottarga will keep for about one year in the refrigerator after its vacuum packaging is opened (or its beeswax coating is removed). It has an outer membrane that needs to be removed before grating—simply peel back the membrane of the size chunk you think you'll need and leave the rest covered.
Can I freeze bottarga?
A single piece of bottarga, when grated, is usually enough for four servings so if there's any left over, wrap it well and refrigerate or freeze it and it will keep for months. You can also grate bottarga over scrambled eggs, add it to risotto, slow-cooked cannellini beans, or sprinkled over a Caesar salad.
What is Bottarga?
No matter what you call it, the product is essentially the same: Bottarga is the roe sac of a fish, most commonly grey mullet, which is salted, massaged to expel air pockets, then pressed and dried. It's a delicacy the world over, and it dates back to ancient times. Almost anywhere humans fished, it seems, once they learned of this preservation technique, they extracted fish roe sacs and salted and dried them to produce a deeply savory pantry staple that's resistant to rot. Bottarga is wonderful to eat with vegetables, grated over almost any starch or grain, or just on its own, sliced paper thin and seasoned with a little salt or soy sauce, a squeeze of lemon, and a slick of flavorful oil.
How long does bottarga last?
Aside from the way it tastes, the best part of bottarga is that it effectively keeps indefinitely. Even after you open up the packaging, peel back the pellicle, and grate some over pasta, the remainder will keep, tightly wrapped in plastic and refrigerated, for months and months.
What bottarga has the pellicle removed?
Mullet bottarga with the pellicle partially removed.
What are some examples of bottarga?
Three examples of bottarga. Clockwise from left: mullet bottarga from l'Oro di Cabras; tuna bottarga; mullet bottarga from Smeralda.
How much is a pound of Parmigiano?
A pound of Parmigiano usually retails for about $20, and while that is about five times cheaper than a pound of bottarga, that amount of cheese will suffice for a similar number of plates of pasta as four ounces of bottarga, since you'll use bottarga more sparingly.
Where did bottarga originate?
Regardless of its origins, bottarga and the method for making it was transmitted to civilizations all along the Silk Road, ending up both in the Far East, in places like China, South Korea, and Japan, and in the West, including what is now Italy.
Is bottarga made from mullet?
There is one other variety of bottarga that should be mentioned, namely bottarga di tonno, made from sacs of tuna roe. While bottarga made from grey mullet is generally more prized than tuna bottarga due to its more delicate (read: milder, less fishy) flavor, at least in the United States, the tuna variety is far more difficult to find, and much more expensive. It is also slightly softer than the mullet variety, which makes it difficult to grate, even with a Microplane (popping it in the freezer for a bit helps).
How Much Does Bottarga Cost?
Bottarga sells at an average of $40 per pound. To put that in perspective, one jar will last about two weeks if you’re eating it daily as your only source of protein or flavor enhancement.
What is Bottarga?
Curing and preserving food is a tradition followed all over the world for centuries.
What Does Bottarga Taste Like? Does Bottarga Taste Good?
You need to have an acquired palate to like Bottarga. The amber flakes of the Bottarga release the best aroma of the seawater.
What does Bottarga bring to the plate?
According to the LA Times, Bottarga brings the flavor of the ocean to the plate.
What is Bottarga caviar?
Bottarga is the “Mediterranean caviar.” It might be new to you, and the question that might pop is,” What does Bottarga taste like?”
How to taste bottarga?
The best way to taste the flavor of Bottarga is by having it raw. It can’t get as simple as slicing it thinly and enjoying it with a glass of alcohol.
What is the best thing about bottarga?
The best thing about Bottarga is the tiniest amount can take your dish to new heights in terms of taste and flavor.
How Much Does Bottarga Cost?
The average price of bottarga is $40 per pound. When it comes to how long one jar should last, if you eat it daily as a source of protein or if you just enjoy it as a condiment, it should last about two weeks.
What is Bottarga?
For centuries, people have been curing and preserving food throughout the world.
Is Bottarga Salty?
A delicacy made from the eggs of fish, typically tuna or mullet, bottarga is an Italian specialty. Pasta dishes, salads, and antipasti usually contain this ingredient.
