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5.0 from 60 votes

Calamarata Pasta with Stewed Cuttlefish and Peas

A classic Italian seafood recipe, this stewed cuttlefish and peas can be served as a main course or with pasta. You can add tomatoes or, if you prefer, make it white (bianco). Either way it's sure to be a winner with seafood lovers!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 720 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 400 g Calamarata Pasta (14oz) or other large pasta tubes
  • 700 g cuttlefish (24oz) I used baby cuttlefish
  • 250 g fresh peas (9oz) or frozen (weight after shelled)
  • 12 cherry tomatoes washed and cut in half
  • 400 g tomato passata (14oz) Use half if serving as a main course
  • 1-2 White onions peeled and chopped
  • ½ glass white wine
  • 1 handful fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 cup vegetable stock (homemade or ready made)
  • 3-4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • salt for pasta and to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. If your cuttlefish are fresh, you can ask your fishmonger to clean them. If not you will need to clean them. Cut below the eyes to remove the tentacles and gently pull the head out along with the guts, taking care not to burst the ink sack. Reserve the ink sac for another recipe or just discard it.
  2. Rinse in cold water to wash away any sand or spilled ink. Pull out the beak and discard, and pull the outer membrane from the body (you may need to aid your grip with a tea towel). You’ll be left with a bright, brilliant white tube and the tentacles. Cut everything into small pieces.
  3. Even frozen cuttlefish may have to have the head, membrane and beak removed.
  4. Peel and chop the onion. Clean the tomatoes and cut them in half. Wash and chop the parsley. Shell the peas if using fresh ones. Heat the vegetable broth.
  5. Heat the olive oil in a deep pan or skillet. I used my Dutch oven. Add the onion, to the oil and soften it. Then add the cuttlefish and a ladle of broth. When the liquid has reduced, add the white wine. When all the alcohol has evaporated and you no longer smell the wine, add the tomatoes and peas (if using fresh).
  6. Let the flavors blend together without adding more liquid, stirring over a low heat for about 10 minutes. Then add the passata and the peas (if using frozen). Add salt as needed and continue cooking until the cuttlefish becomes tender (about 20 minutes depending on the size). Add more broth if the sauce dries out.
  7. In the meantime put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and bring to the boil again.
  8. Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet. When the pasta is ready, drain it and add to the sauce. (I transferred the sauce from my Dutch oven to a deep skillet before doing this). Mix everything together well, sprinkle with fresh parsley and cook for another minute. 
  9. Serve immediately with more fresh parsley if required. 
For sauce without tomatoes.
  1. Instead of tomatoes you can use more broth to cook the cuttlefish and peas. Then add a little pasta cooking water to the sauce before adding the drained pasta.

Notes

  • You can eat this dish with bread, potatoes, rice or polenta, instead of pasta. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 720kcal (36%) Carbohydrates 100g (33%) Protein 47g (94%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Cholesterol 196mg (65%) Sodium 933mg (39%) Potassium 1602mg (46%) Fiber 10g (40%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 2104IU (42%) Vitamin C 60mg (67%) Calcium 227mg (23%) Iron 15mg (83%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 720

% Daily Value*

Calories 720kcal 36%
Carbohydrates 100g 33%
Protein 47g 94%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 196mg 65%
Sodium 933mg 39%
Potassium 1602mg 34%
Fiber 10g 40%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 2104IU 42%
Vitamin C 60mg 67%
Calcium 227mg 23%
Iron 15mg 83%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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