La Calamarata (Calamari Pasta) Recipe
This La Calamarata recipe is a classic dish from Southern Italy that brings the flavors of the Mediterranean to your table. The dish pairs tender squid (calamari) with sweet cherry tomatoes and calamarata pasta, a unique pasta shape that resembles calamari rings.
Servings: 4
Calories: 591kcal
Ingredients
- 14.1 oz calamarata pasta
- 2-3 fresh squid (calamari) (medium size)
- 17.5 oz Piennolo or cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 large garlic clove peeled
- 1 handful fresh parsley chopped
- ½ fresh red chilli pepper (peperoncino) stripped of seeds & chopped
- 3-4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt for pasta and to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Clean the squid by rinsing it well under running water. Remove the head, tentacles, internal cartilage, and skin. Retain the tentacles and slice the body into rings about the same width as the pasta. Cut the tentacles into small pieces.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
- In the meantime heat the olive oil in a frying pan or skillet over low heat. Add the garlic cloves and chopped chili pepper, frying gently for 5–10 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add the prepared squid and a pinch of salt. Cook for a few minutes until the squid turns white.
- Increase the heat and pour in the white wine. Allow the alcohol to evaporate, then reduce the heat and add the halved tomatoes.
- Simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove the garlic cloves.
- In the meantime, cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet and drain when cooked.
- Add the pasta directly to the pan with the sauce and mix together well. Add the chopped parsley and mix again. Serve immediately.
Notes
If you cannot find calamarata pasta you could also use paccheri which are bigger, but then do not cut the calamari to rings the size of the pasta. The rings will have to be smaller.
If you cannot find fresh calamari, frozen can be used, but not ready cut rings. Whole calamaris would be better.
Nutrition
Calories: 591kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 691mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 715IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg