Italia a tavola-Firenze-sweet and sour shrimps

Gamberi in dolceforte

 Sweet and Sour Shrimps

Ingredients for 4 servings

18oz of raw peeled large shrimps

4oz of raisins

1 lemon  (juiced)

Olive Oil

Flour

½ ts of cinnamon

Salt, Pepper

Set the raisins in a small bowl of lukewarm water and let sit until plump; then drain and dry them.

 Wash the shrimps and dry them well, coat them with the flour and stir fry them in 5 TbS of olive oil at medium/high heat.  As soon as they turn red, lower the heat and add salt, pepper and cinnamon. Add the raisins and the lemon juice. Continue cooking until the sauce is thicker.

The contrast of salty and sweet ingredients was highly appreciated during the renaissance period.  This reflected the influence of spice merchants coming from different countries, particularly from the orient.