Ricette di Sicilia

Name: Neonata Fritters: The Delicious Secret of Trapani’s Culinary Heritage
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: Serves 6
Cuisine: Sicilian
Ingredients: 900g juvenile bluefish (novellame); 400g plain flour; 4 eggs; 1 clove Nubian red garlic; A small bunch of parsley; 100g aged Sicilian pecorino cheese, grated; Salt; Freshly ground black pepper; Sunflower oil for frying; A squeeze of lemon juice; Lemon wedges to garnish

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane

Neonata Fritters: The Delicious Secret of Trapani’s Culinary Heritage

Uncover the charm of Neonata Fritters – a truly authentic Sicilian treat from Trapani’s kitchens that captures the taste of the sea perfectly.

Author: Nino Messina • Published on: December 6, 2025

Categories: Starters Quick Recipes

Tags: garlic flour lemons blue fish fry seed oil pecorino cheese parsley salt Trapani eggs

⏱️

Prep Time

About 15 minutes

🔥

Cook Time

Around 30 minutes

👥

Serve

Serves 6

📊

Difficulty

Easy

💰 Moderate

🗓️ Spring

⭐ 4.7/5

🛒 Ingredients

✓ 900g juvenile bluefish (novellame)

✓ 400g plain flour

✓ 4 eggs

✓ 1 clove Nubian red garlic

✓ A small bunch of parsley

✓ 100g aged Sicilian pecorino cheese, grated

✓ Salt

✓ Freshly ground black pepper

✓ Sunflower oil for frying

✓ A squeeze of lemon juice

✓ Lemon wedges to garnish

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories

150-200 kcal

Protein

10-15 g

Fat

7-10 g

Carbohydrates

10-15 g

Fiber

1-2 g

Sugars

1-2 g

Sodium

Variante

Neonata fritters are one of Trapani’s treasured culinary delights. This dish beautifully embodies the freshness of the sea, with its star ingredient being the tiny juvenile bluefish known locally as 'novellame'. Also called pupette di nunnata, these crispy little fritters celebrate classic Sicilian flavours to the fullest. Perfect for a bright spring day, they evoke the scent of the Mediterranean coast and the freshness of locally foraged ingredients. The perfume of parsley and Nubian red garlic mingles with a zesty splash of lemon juice, creating a symphony of flavours reminiscent of sun-drenched Sicilian shores. Ideal as an appetiser, these fritters set the tone for a wonderful seafood lunch or dinner.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

1

Thoroughly clean the juvenile bluefish, removing any impurities.
2

In a bowl, combine the cleaned fish with chopped parsley, crushed garlic, a pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, the grated pecorino, and a few drops of lemon juice.
3

Mix this fish mixture into the beaten eggs and shape into flat patties.
4

Fry the fritters in hot sunflower oil until beautifully golden and crisp.
5

Drain any excess oil on kitchen paper and serve the fritters hot on a serving plate, garnished with fresh lemon wedges.

💡 Tips and Variations

For a lighter take, bake the fritters in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15–20 minutes. If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of chilli to the mix for a subtle spicy kick.

📦 Storage

• Keep refrigerated and consume within 2 days.
• Cooked fritters freeze well for up to one month.
• Reheat in the oven at 180°C for 10 minutes before serving.

🍷 Pairing

Serve these neonata fritters alongside a chilled Menfi Bianco, a Sicilian white wine that wonderfully complements the dish’s maritime notes. Best enjoyed at 10–12°C to fully appreciate its aromatic bouquet.

Give these neonata fritters a go at home and bring a little slice of Sicily to your table. They're perfect for sharing with family or friends, offering a taste of the sea with every bite. Whether it’s a sunny spring lunch or a cosy evening in, they’re bound to become a firm favourite. Do have fun cooking, and don’t forget to pass on the joy by serving them up with good company and a glass of something lovely!