Zesty Calamari Puttanesca Recipe: Sea-Meets-Italy Magic

Sizzling seafood takes an exciting turn with this calamari puttanesca recipe that delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in every delectable bite.

Sharp notes of briny olives and tangy capers dance alongside tender rings of squid, creating a dish that speaks directly to passionate food lovers.

The robust sauce bursts with sun-ripened tomatoes and a subtle heat that lingers provocatively on your palate.

Fresh herbs and garlic weave through the ingredients, adding depth and complexity to this classic Italian preparation.

Each forkful promises a journey through coastal Italian culinary traditions, blending rustic charm with sophisticated taste.

You won’t be able to resist the allure of this vibrant, zesty seafood masterpiece that transforms a simple dinner into an extraordinary dining experience.

Grab your skillet and get ready to impress with a restaurant-quality meal that comes together in mere minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 215 kcal

Servings: 5

Calamari Puttanesca Ingredient Rundown

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth, rich foundation for sautéing ingredients with deep, luxurious flavor profile.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent undertones that elevate the entire dish's complexity.
• Chili: Introduces vibrant heat and zesty energy to the sauce, creating dynamic spiciness.

• Capers: Contribute briny, tangy punch with delightful Mediterranean character.
• Green Olives: Deliver salty, intense Mediterranean essence with robust texture.
• Plum Tomatoes: Offer sweet-acidic base that creates rich, deep sauce foundation.
• Cinnamon Sticks: Bring subtle warm, earthy undertones that complement seafood beautifully.
• Salt, Pepper: Balance and intensify overall taste profile with essential seasoning.

• Calamari: Provides tender, delicate seafood protein with elegant oceanic character.
• Coriander: Adds fresh, bright herbal notes that complement the robust sauce perfectly.

Tools for Cooking Flavorful Calamari Puttanesca

• Large saucepan: Essential for cooking the sauce and calamari, providing ample space for ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Perfect for chopping tomatoes, garlic, chili, and coriander with precision.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for preparing and chopping ingredients safely.
• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of salt and pepper.

How to Make a Classic Calamari Puttanesca

• Flavor Foundation

Start by warming olive oil in a spacious pan. Toss in fragrant garlic and zesty chili, letting them dance and turn golden, releasing their rich aromas.

• Ingredient Symphony

Introduce briny capers, salty olives, and vibrant green chili to the sizzling mixture. Roughly tear plum tomatoes and add them to create a rustic sauce. Sprinkle in fresh coriander, add warming cinnamon sticks, and season with salt and pepper. Let the ingredients mingle and develop deep, complex flavors.

• Calamari Transformation

Gently fold tender calamari rings into the bubbling sauce. Allow them to simmer briefly, absorbing the intense Mediterranean essence, becoming delicately soft and perfectly seasoned.

• Finishing Flourish

Pluck out the cinnamon sticks, revealing the completed dish. Scatter remaining bright coriander on top, creating a fresh, herbaceous crown that adds a final burst of color and zest.

Tips & Variations for Calamari Puttanesca Lovers

• Slice calamari rings at a slight angle to ensure even cooking and prevent rubbery texture. Soak in milk for 15 minutes before cooking to enhance softness.
• Adjust chili quantities to match your heat preference. Use fresh red chilis for intense heat or mild green chilis for a gentler kick. Remove seeds for less spiciness.
• Replace coriander with fresh parsley for a traditional Italian flavor. Try different olive varieties like Kalamata or green Spanish olives to add unique depth.
• Substitute calamari with shrimp or white fish if unavailable. Ensure protein is fresh and cook just until opaque to maintain delicate texture.

Serving Suggestions for Calamari Puttanesca Pasta

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve this zesty calamari puttanesca alongside warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up the rich, tangy sauce and capture every delicious drop.
• Complement with Crisp Salad: Balance the bold flavors of the dish with a light, refreshing green salad dressed in a simple lemon vinaigrette to cleanse the palate.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Enhance the Mediterranean flavors by pouring a chilled glass of crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a dry Sauvignon Blanc that cuts through the dish's robust taste.
• Elegant Plating Tip: Present the calamari puttanesca in a shallow ceramic bowl, garnishing with extra fresh coriander and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil for a restaurant-style presentation.

Storing Leftover Calamari Puttanesca Correctly

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover calamari puttanesca in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Maximize Flavor Retention: Consume refrigerated calamari puttanesca within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture, as seafood tends to deteriorate quickly.
• Freeze with Caution: Freeze the sauce separately without calamari, as seafood can become rubbery and lose its delicate texture when frozen and reheated.
• Reheat Gently: Warm the dish on low heat in a skillet, adding a splash of water or extra olive oil to prevent drying and maintain the sauce's original moisture and flavor profile.

Spicy Calamari Puttanesca

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Delightful calamari puttanesca blends Italian coastal flavors with zesty tomato sauce and tender seafood. Fresh ingredients and quick preparation make this dish perfect for weeknight dinners you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) calamari, cleaned and chopped
• 1 can plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 green chili, chopped
• ¼ cup (40 g) kalamata olives, whole pitted
• ¼ cup (40 g) green olives, whole pitted
• 1 tbsp (15 g) capers
• ½ cup (30 g) fresh coriander, finely chopped
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp (5 g) salt
• 1 tsp (5 g) pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high, creating a dynamic cooking surface for layering flavors.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté minced garlic and chili peppers until golden and fragrant, developing a potent flavor base that will permeate the entire dish.
3. Flavor Layering: Introduce capers, kalamata olives, and green chili peppers, stirring thoroughly to distribute ingredients and create a complex Mediterranean profile.
4. Sauce Development: Add coarsely chopped plum tomatoes, half the coriander leaves, and whole cinnamon sticks, allowing the sauce to simmer and develop rich, deep characteristics.
5. Seasoning: Sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper, integrating spices to enhance the sauce’s depth and complexity while balancing the briny and tangy elements.
6. Seafood Integration: Delicately fold calamari rings and tentacles into the simmering sauce, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the seafood transforms to a translucent, tender texture. Remove cinnamon sticks to prevent overwhelming the nuanced flavors.
7. Final Garnish: Scatter remaining fresh coriander leaves across the dish, providing a vibrant, herbaceous contrast to the robust puttanesca sauce.

Notes

• Timing is Critical: Cook calamari precisely 3-4 minutes to prevent rubbery texture, ensuring tender, delicate seafood that melts in your mouth.
• Spice Strategy: Control chili heat by adjusting pepper quantities; remove seeds for milder flavor or keep them for intense, fiery kick.
• Cinnamon Caution: Remove whole cinnamon sticks immediately after cooking to prevent overwhelming the sauce’s delicate Mediterranean balance.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Add coriander leaves last moment for maximum aroma and vibrant green color, transforming the dish’s visual and flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 215
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg