Tapes decussatus · Lago di Ganzirri · Messina, Sicilia
Today's sea. On the table today.
At the MA.RU. store in Ganzirri, every day whatever the sea has decided to give. Artisan preparations of fresh local fish, made by hand with that same morning's catch. No fixed menu. Nothing from yesterday.
Only today's catch
Only traditional recipes
Only at the store
Daily Fresh Kitchen
If there are no anchovies today, we don't make anchovies today.
This is the MA.RU. rule for preparations: no compromise on raw materials. If the local day’s catch doesn’t include a specific fish, that recipe doesn’t appear on the counter. Full stop.
This isn’t a romantic choice — it’s the only way to guarantee that what you put in your mouth is truly fresh, truly local, truly seasonal. The Strait of Messina offers an extraordinary fish calendar: every month has its protagonists, every season its excellence.
A hunt that has lasted three thousand years.
Il pesce spada dello Stretto.
Between June and mid-August, the shallow waters of the Strait of Messina become the swordfish’s spawning territory. The fish approach the coast, swimming in pairs at the surface — and for three thousand years the Strait’s fishermen have waited for them with the feluca.
The feluca is a vessel unique in the world, with an observation mast up to 22 metres high and a bow walkway up to 40 metres long. From the masthead, the ‘ntinneri scans the sea and guides the lanzaturi waiting for the perfect moment to throw the harpoon.
When the fish is brought aboard, one of the fishermen draws four crosses on its head — the cardata da cruci, a centuries-old ritual gesture of respect.
This tradition is a Slow Food Presidium.
(Giugno - Agosto)
Preparati stagionali
- Swordfish rolls — stuffed with breadcrumbs, pine nuts and raisins in ghiotta sauce
- Swordfish cutlets — breaded, ready for the pan
- Swordfish steaks — plain, cook as you like
- Swordfish alla ghiotta — with tomato, white olives, capers and celery
KITCHEN ALWAYS OPEN
The rest is decided by the sea.
Daily Fresh Kitchen
How to buy the preparations.
Ganzirri
Preparations are on the counter every day, while they last. Selection depends entirely on the morning's catch. Come in the morning for the widest choice.
Reservation
You can contact MA.RU. a day in advance. We can't guarantee a specific fish — but we can notify you as soon as it arrives.
Tastings
I preparati di pesce sono il cuore delle degustazioni organizzate. Abbinati alle vongole fresche, danno vita a un'esperienza gastronomica completa.
Daily Fresh Kitchen
The Strait feluche — Slow Food Presidium.
Swordfish fishing with the feluca in the Strait of Messina is one of the oldest traditions in the Mediterranean. A Slow Food Presidium certifying its uniqueness.
From April to September, feluche guard the Strait, sharing the “poste” — sea zones allocated by lottery since 1902. Buying a swordfish preparation from MA.RU. means supporting this tradition.