Zuppa di Pesce aka Fish soup is made by combining fish or seafood with vegetables and stock, juice, water, or another liquid. On the Italian side of our family, we have a long tradition of making great Zuppa di Pesce, otherwise known as bouillabaisse Marseillaise by the French. Seafood is a staple in our household.
You’ll find my families version is a simple, yet quality version to serve. Perfect for any luncheon, or as a starter to your meal. It is seasoned with fresh herbs, homemade fish stock, and served with Italian bread.
In Italy, you will often find many versions of Zuppa di Pesce, as you will find bouillabaisse in France. They have a unique flavor ALL of their own. In America, the American Italians, also have theirs called Cioppino. Cioppino is said to have stemmed out of San Francisco by famed Italian fish wholesaler Achille Paladini. (Originally from Ancona, Italy he apparently hailed his idea from Ciuppin, also a classic soup of Genoa) I am always amazed at the history of foods. Our family version is below.
Zuppa di Pesce – bouillabaisse
- 4 pounds of assorted clams,mussels,crab,shrimp,octopus,halibut,red Snapper,squid
- 4 cups of fresh San Marzano tomatoes, or Roma tomatoes, sliced into rounds
- 3 cups of homemade fish stock
- 1 cup dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, halved & sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, halved
- 1 cup zucchini ribbons
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2-3 fresh lemons, sliced
- 3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt, to taste
- fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Directions
- In a large stock pot add homemade fish stock, wine, and tomatoes. Bring to a nice simmer, add oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper. Juice one of your lemons, add to stockpot. Continue to simmer about 15 minutes.
- While it is simmering, use a potato peeler to make zucchini ribbons. Set aside. Slice other lemons, and set aside. Once you have simmered the tomatoes, wine and fish stock 15 minutes. Saute yellow onions about 1 minute in olive oil. Add red onions and yellow sautéed onions to the stockpot. Cook 5 minutes and then start adding seafood, longest cooking items first. (We used snapper, mussels, shrimp, and small crabs added in that order) DO NOT remove them from their shells, this enhances the flavor and appearance of your soup.
- Last but not least add the zucchini ribbons. Reduce heat to off and remove from burner after adding ribbons, as to not overcook. Let cool about 7 minutes to let flavors meld together. Ladle into bowls, garnish with lemon slices, and fresh parsley. Serve with Italian bread.
Notes:
There are several wonderful recipes for fish stock on the web. If you can not make fresh homemade fish stock, feel free to substitute with clam juice.
Be sure to always prepare and clean any seafood you plan on using. DO not remove seafood from shells to cook.

zuppa di pesce – bouillabaisse marseillaise- Fish Soup
Ingredients
- 4 pounds of assorted clams mussels,crab,shrimp,octopus,halibut,red Snapper,squid
- 4 cups of fresh San Marzano tomatoes or Roma tomatoes, sliced into rounds
- 3 cups of homemade fish stock
- 1 cup dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio
- 1/2 cup yellow onion halved & sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion halved
- 1 cup zucchini ribbons
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2-3 fresh lemons sliced
- 3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt to taste
- fresh cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large stock pot add homemade fish stock, wine, and tomatoes. Bring to a nice simmer, add oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper. Juice one of your lemons, add to stockpot. Continue to simmer about 15 minutes.
- While it is simmering, use a potato peeler to make zucchini ribbons. Set aside. Slice other lemons, and set aside. Once you have simmered the tomatoes, wine and fish stock 15 minutes. Saute yellow onions about 1 minute in olive oil. Add red onions and yellow sautéed onions to the stockpot. Cook 5 minutes and then start adding seafood, longest cooking items first. (We used snapper, mussels, shrimp, and small crabs added in that order) DO NOT remove them from their shells, this enhances the flavor and appearance of your soup.
- Last but not least add the zucchini ribbons. Reduce heat to off and remove from burner after adding ribbons, as to not overcook. Let cool about 7 minutes to let flavors meld together. Ladle into bowls, garnish with lemon slices, and fresh parsley. Serve with Italian bread.
Notes
Be sure to always prepare and clean any seafood you plan on using. Do not remove seafood from shells to cook.
Nutrition
12 Comments
Priya Shiva
July 28, 2014 at 10:01 amThis is something I have never heard of. I have just recently started exploring Italian food and zuppa di pesce looks very tempting!
Heidy L. McCallum
July 28, 2014 at 8:14 pmzuppa di pesce is an old Italian tradition! If you like seafood, it is wonderful Priya.
savoryexperiments
July 28, 2014 at 9:43 amBeing Italian, we of course LOVE zuppa di pesce in our household too! Our local pork store (Italian grocer for those of you without) even sells a seafood assortment for making zuppa di pesce, although I am allergic to clam, mussels and oysters, so I make the base and then divide into two pots. Hubby gets the seafood assortment and I get shrimp, crab and scallops.
Heidy L. McCallum
July 28, 2014 at 8:16 pmYour way sounds wonderful too!Thanks for dropping by!
Sandi @ A New York Foodie
April 17, 2014 at 11:35 amThis looks amazing Heidy!! I love all the seafood you put in it! The picture is just beautiful!
Heidy L. McCallum
April 17, 2014 at 7:48 pmThank you so much , glad you enjoyed our recipe for the soup!
Kc Kahn
April 17, 2014 at 12:33 pmSo many of my fave #seafoods in this super easy and #quick #Soup recipe! My mouth is watering just looking at your beautiful photo! Thanks Heidy!
Heidy L. McCallum
April 17, 2014 at 7:44 pmThank you so much KC, I am so glad you found a recipe you enjoy! Seafood is a family favorite here!
Ronda
April 16, 2014 at 4:30 pmHeidy- this looks great. This and a hunk of crusty bread and I’m good to go! Thanks for sharing!
savoryexperiments
March 23, 2014 at 6:13 pmGorgeous soup! Pinned! Thanks for stopping by and sharing at The Wednesday Round-Up!!!
Heidy L. McCallum
March 24, 2014 at 3:15 amThank you so much for dropping by!
Heidy L. McCallum
March 24, 2014 at 3:31 amThank you