Two luscious cannoli elegantly placed side-by-side. The dark, crisp shells contrast against the creamy, citrusy filling, speckled with zest. Fresh raspberries, dollops of lemon curd, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar decorate the plate, while slivered almonds and fresh mint leaves give the dish height and a pop of color.

Crab Cannoli with Citrus-Almond Ricotta

Name: Crab Cannoli with Citrus-Almond Ricotta
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 100g crab meat cooked and finely shredded; 2 cannoli shells store bought; 1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese strained; 2 tablespoons white sugar; 1 teaspoon lemon zest freshly grated; 8-10 fresh raspberries for garnish; 2 tablespoons lemon curd for garnish; 1 teaspoon slivered almonds lightly toasted; 2-3 fresh mint leaves for garnish; 1 tablespoon mixed candied citrus peel finely chopped; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; for dusting powdered sugar

An exotic, sweet and tangy Italian-inspired dessert.

Category Dessert

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 0 minutes

Style Italian

Technique mixing

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily recipe · August 24, 2023

A little about this dish

Embrace the unexpected with this playful Italian-inspired dessert! We've paired the delicate sweetness of crab with tangy summer citrus and almond notes. The elegant taste of crab and the mixture of seasonal fruits create an unforgettable symphony of flavors.

Ingredients (for 2)

Crab meat — 100g — cooked and finely shredded
Cannoli shells — 2 — store bought
Part skim ricotta cheese — 1/2 cup — strained
White sugar — 2 tablespoons
Lemon zest — 1 teaspoon — freshly grated
Fresh raspberries — 8-10 — for garnish
Lemon curd — 2 tablespoons — for garnish
Slivered almonds — 1 teaspoon — lightly toasted
Fresh mint leaves — 2-3 — for garnish
Mixed candied citrus peel — 1 tablespoon — finely chopped
Almond extract — 1/2 teaspoon
Powdered sugar — for dusting

Preparation

Step 1 — 🦀🥄🍚

In a bowl, combine the shredded crab meat, ricotta cheese, sugar, lemon zest, candied citrus peel, and almond extract. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
Step 2 — 🥣🥐

Carefully spoon the crab-ricotta filling into the cannoli shells.
Step 3 — 🍽️🥐

Arrange the filled cannoli on a dessert plate.
Step 4 — 🍋🍇

Garnish each plate with fresh raspberries and a dollop of lemon curd.
Step 5 — 🌱🥜🍬

Sprinkle the slivered almonds over the cannoli, dust with powdered sugar, and top each with a fresh mint leaf before serving.

A final fox tip

This recipe draws inspiration from coastal Italian regions where seafood often finds its way into unexpected places. Crab meat is actually wonderfully sweet which makes it an interesting addition to desserts. Remember, the key is to balance its sweetness with other contrasting flavors, like we have done with tart citrus and creamy ricotta. Kids will enjoy filling the cannoli and adding the garnishes.