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Calamarata is a classic pasta dish from Naples that captures the essence of the sea. This dish is a real treat for seafood lovers.The name “Calamarata” comes from the pasta shape, which looks like squid rings.There are many ways to cook Calamarata, but the traditional recipe I recommend uses squid and cherry tomatoes. This delicious dish is quick to prepare and requires only a few simple, yet fresh and high-quality ingredients.
First, clean the squid thoroughly. If you need help with this, check the section below on "How to Clean Calamari." Once cleaned, place the calamari on a cutting board and cut it into rings about 3 cm high (~1 inch). Cut off the longer tentacles, leaving only the small tufts whole.
In a large frying pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add two peeled garlic cloves and sauté them for a couple of minutes until they release their aroma.
Add the calamari to the pan, stir well, and let them cook on high heat for about 2 minutes.
Pour in some white wine to deglaze. Allow the alcohol to evaporate, then lower the heat and cook the calamari for about 5 minutes. While the squid is cooking, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil in preparation for the pasta.
Wash and quarter the cherry tomatoes. Add them to the squid, season with salt, and mix well. Continue cooking the mixture for another 10 minutes. The sauce should be smooth and not too thick because the pasta will finish cooking in it.
Boil the pasta in the prepared pot for about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta when it's still quite firm (al dente).
Transfer it directly into the pan with the calamari and tomato sauce. Let the pasta finish cooking in the sauce for about 5 minutes. Typically, Calamarata pasta needs 12-15 minutes to cook, so check the package instructions for exact times.
Mix the pasta and sauce well. If needed, add a little bit of the pasta cooking water to help blend everything together perfectly.
Before serving, coarsely chop some fresh parsley and sprinkle it over the pasta. Serve your delicious Calamarata and enjoy!