The Black Sea Sprat

The Black Sea Sprat, or cappone, or lucerna, or Facianu, or Cocciu, etc... Depending on the region of Italy, it owes its name to the sound it makes when it comes out of the water, comparable to that of a hen. In fact, when caught, they emit a grunt, audible even outside the water, which originates from the thick wall of their swim bladder.

It is a fish considered "beautiful" for its streamlined body, liveliness, and variety of colors, but also "ugly" because of the disproportionate size of its head and mouth. It is precisely its beauty or ugliness that has stimulated the creativity of many painters, such as the Milanese artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo in one of his famous composite heads dedicated to the theme of "Acqua (Water)" (1566), or the Neapolitan painter Giuseppe Recco in his "Trionfo di pescato con gallinella di mare, ostriche ricci e conchiglie en plein air" (1634), etc. It is appreciated for its lean, tasty, and delicate meat. It is mainly fished in the Mediterranean Sea all year round.

We serve it with rice cooked in a Black Sea Sprat broth.