Ingredients

  • 2 (1 1/2 pound) hard shell lobsters
  • 1 pound manila clams
  • 1 pound mussels
  • 1 pound day boat sea scallops
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, shells reserved
  • 1 pound striped bass fillet, skin removed, portioned into roughly 3-ounce pieces
  • 1 pound fish bones (ask your fish monger)
  • 1/2 pound fresh squid
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 2 small heads of fennel, 1 thinly sliced, 1 cut into 1/4-inch wedges
  • 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 carrot, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
  • 2 small beefsteak tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup brandy
  • 1 cup white wine
  • peel of 1 orange
  • peel of 1 lemon
  • 4 sprigs basil, 2 sprigs reserved for garnish
  • 3 sprigs parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 pound fingerling potatoes
  • 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • Bring 3 gallons of heavily salted water to a boil on your stovetop.
  • (The water should be as salty as the ocean.)
  • Prepare an ice bath.
  • Place the lobsters in boiling water, return the water to a boil and cook the lobster for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the lobsters and place in ice bath for 15 minutes.
  • Transfer lobsters to a cutting board; separate the tail and claws from the lobster.
  • Use a pair of heavy kitchen shears to cut the tail directly in half lengthwise.
  • The meat and shell should remain connected.
  • Crack the claws and arms to remove all useable meat.
  • Reserve the lobster tails and claw meat for the next days use.
  • Use the kitchen shears to cut the head into 2 inch pieces.
  • Prepare the Zuppa: Heat the canola oil in a large, heavy-bottom saucepan.
  • Add the lobster headpieces, shrimp shells and fish bones, and saute for 5 minutes.
  • Add the sliced fennel, onions, carrots, garlic, celery and tomatoes, and cook for 10 minutes on low heat.
  • Deglaze with the brandy and white wine, and cook for 3 more minutes.
  • Cover the bones and vegetables by one inch of cold water.
  • Bring to a simmer over high heat and cook on low for 45 minutes.
  • Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve.
  • Place the orange and lemon peels, basil, parsley and red pepper flakes in the strained liquid to steep over night in your refrigerator.