When it comes to food, seafood has a unique and prominent place in the food hierarchy. The sea is vast and full of amazing species. Since 70% of the world comprises water, imagine how many different species of seafood are out there! My mouth is already salivating! I simply love seafood. There’s nothing I love more in the world. And I enjoy almost all varieties, from prawns to shellfish and squids. Every seafood has its unique flavor and texture. I love to explore different varieties and dishes that comprise seafood. And my love for it has taken me to so many other places and given me some fantastic experiences.
If you are a seafood lover like me, you would definitely have heard about Mediterranean seafood. The Mediterranean Sea is so vast that it covers a huge part of the earth. So many countries are situated along the Mediterranean coast. And there is so much versatility, not just in seafood, of course, but also in the ways it is cooked. From middle eastern countries all the way to Europe, you will find different flavors and the same dishes with different ingredients and variations.
Enough talk about geography! Let’s talk about food. Now, you might have heard of the Mediterranean diet, but let me tell you clearly, it is nothing related to what I am talking about here. I am talking about the authentic flavors and seafood dishes that the Mediterranean people like and enjoy. There is something unique about how these people handle seafood. There is so much love and taste that you cannot stop coming back to that particular flavor. It is like magic!
Why Mediterranean people love seafood?
Seafood is an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine. Why? Because of the sea, of course. Apart from red meat and poultry, seafood is the most readily available type in the Mediterranean. It is a staple and a necessary part of their daily food. There are so many different types of  seafood available for home delivery. The list is unending. Apart from prawns, shrimps, and squids, you will find so many different types of fish and shellfish. A taste of seafood that comes from a natural habitat of the sea is utterly unique and delicious.
Benefits of Mediterranean seafood
Seafood has many benefits. It is nothing new, especially when you compare it to red meat for poultry. Although these also have protein, seafood, especially fish, has something extra, i.e., omega 3. Omega 3 is a vital component that has extraordinary health benefits. The list of its benefits is long, but some significant benefits are as follows:
- Seafood, especially fish, reduces inflammation in the body. As a result, it relieves arthritis.
- It acts as an antidepressant. Now you know why you feel happy and satisfied after having a delicious seafood meal.
- It improves cardiac health.
- It reduces the chances of Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s not just the Omega 3 fatty acid that steals the show here. Seafood like shellfish etc., also has an abundance of amino acids, protein, vitamin A and C, phosphorus, magnesium, and so much more. In other words, it is a complete power pack!
Best Mediterranean seafood dishes
Now, if you are planning to cook a seafood meal for yourself this weekend, here are a few authentic and tasteful Mediterranean dishes you should try:
1.   Baked cod (Greek style)
Now, this is an utterly delicious dish. If you are looking for a quick cook and not-so-overpowering seafood flavor, you should try this baked cod. It has simple ingredients. Cod fillets, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and a few Mediterranean spices like cumin, black pepper, paprika, and coriander. With a light sear and baking, you get a taste that will take you to another world.
2.   Fish stew (Sicilian Style)
The most popular Mediterranean seafood dish is fish stew. It is finger-licking good and highly comfort food, especially in the winters. A heart-warming bowl of fish stew with Italian flavors can lift your mood. What I love about this Mediterranean dish is its simplicity and balance of flavor. You get fish, tomatoes, garlic, raisins, and capers, along with local spices. It is the best thing you have ever tried. Period.
3.   Mediterranean Fish Fillet (Shakshuka Style)
Let’s move up to the middle east to get another Mediterranean fish dish straight from the shore of Egypt. Like I said, as you move along the coast of the Mediterranean, the flavors, spices, and cooking style change a bit. So, you get fish along with tomatoes, jalapeno, garlic, cumin, dill weed, sumac, coriander powder, and so much more for this dish. The Shakshuka flair gives the Mediterranean food a new life. And the best part, you can switch fish with shrimps.
4.   Mediterranean seafood pasta
Who says Mediterranean people don’t like pasta? As long as it has seafood in it, everything is perfect. You can enjoy the delicious flavor of tuna, Mediterranean spices, garlic, bell pepper to create a delightful pasta dish within half an hour. It is a perfect seafood treat with heaps of Mediterranean herbs to take things to another level.
5.   Mediterranean Steamed Clams
Clams bring the real essence of the Mediterranean Sea through their flavor. You might not find them interesting to look at, but once you try the Mediterranean way of cooking these clams, you will know why they are so loved in the Mediterranean countries. Pair them up with spices like paprika, cumin, pepper, tomatoes, garlic, bell peppers, and white wine, and get the taste of the mighty Mediterranean Sea!
Now that you have discovered the secrets behind the fame of Mediterranean cuisine let’s give it a try and discover the unique taste of some of the best seafood varieties in the world.
