Description
Calamari Puttanesca blends Mediterranean seafood magic with bold Italian flavors, creating a spicy and tangy seafood experience. Salty olives, zesty capers, and tender calamari dance together in a provocative sauce that will transport palates straight to coastal Italy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb calamari, cleaned and chopped
- 1 can plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 green chili, chopped
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon capers
- ½ cup fresh coriander, finely chopped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Olives and Oil:
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, whole pitted
- ¼ cup green olives, whole pitted
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling foundation for the aromatic ingredients.
- Introduce minced garlic and finely chopped chili peppers, gently sautéing until the garlic transforms into a golden, fragrant base, releasing its intense flavors.
- Incorporate briny capers, sliced kalamata olives, and diced green chili peppers, stirring to distribute the vibrant ingredients evenly across the pan.
- Coarsely chop ripe plum tomatoes and add them to the skillet, creating a rich, rustic sauce. Sprinkle half of the fresh, chopped coriander leaves, and add whole cinnamon sticks for depth.
- Season the mixture with kosher salt (or 7 grams) and freshly ground black pepper (or 3.5 grams), allowing the spices to meld and intensify the sauce’s complexity.
- Gently introduce tender calamari rings and tentacles into the bubbling sauce, carefully stirring to ensure even coating and cooking for 3-4 minutes until the seafood becomes delicately opaque and tender.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks to prevent overpowering the dish’s nuanced flavors.
- Finish by scattering the remaining fresh coriander leaves across the top, adding a bright, herbal note to the robust puttanesca.
Notes
- Packed with bold Mediterranean flavors, this calamari dish delivers a spicy and tangy punch that transforms a simple seafood meal into an exciting culinary experience.
- Quick cooking time ensures the calamari stays tender and doesn’t become rubbery, making it perfect for a fast weeknight dinner.
- Cinnamon sticks infuse a subtle warmth and depth to the sauce, creating an unexpected but delightful flavor complexity.
- Capers and olives provide briny, salty notes that complement the delicate calamari, balancing the overall taste profile.
- Choose fresh, high-quality calamari for the best texture and to prevent a chewy, tough result during cooking.
- Serve immediately after preparation to enjoy the optimal combination of warm sauce and perfectly cooked seafood.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg