Risottino con Tartare di Scampo, Fichi e Yogurt al Caffè

Risottino con Tartare di Scampo, Fichi e Yogurt al Caffè is a contemporary Italian dish from Ristorante Unto in Terni, as documented by user JustUs on ReTubeIt. The dish reinterprets classic risotto techniques by combining a small-format risottino (a finer, creamier risotto) with a raw scampi tartare, fresh figs, and a coffee-infused yogurt. Its origin likely lies in the modern Italian trend of pairing seafood with sweet or bitter elements, drawing on Umbrian culinary creativity rather than a single historical tradition.

Key ingredients include arborio or carnaroli rice for the risottino, cleaned scampi for the tartare, ripe figs for sweetness, and a yogurt base steeped with coffee for an earthy, slightly acidic contrast. A great version demands perfect seasoning: the risotto must be al dente and intensely savory, the tartare impeccably fresh and lightly dressed, the figs ripe but firm, and the yogurt balanced so the coffee does not overpower. Ristorante Unto’s execution emphasizes this harmony of textures and temperatures.

Regional variations are less documented, but similar dishes appear in coastal Italian regions where seafood meets fruit; some chefs substitute yogurt with a coffee foam or replace scampi with langoustines. In Umbria, the dish reflects the local emphasis on land-sea pairings, though the inclusion of coffee yogurt is a inventive touch not native to the region. The preparation is best enjoyed as a warm-weather appetizer or a light main course.