Calamaretti Fritti Recipe
deep fried baby squid | spicy marinara sauce
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Ingredients
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For the Calamaretti
For the Spicy Marinara Sauce
Method
For the Calamaretti
- 1
Prepare the Squid
Clean the baby squid by removing the head, innards, and cartilage. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- 2
Make the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and paprika. In another bowl, whisk together the egg and cold water. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until you achieve a smooth batter.
- 3
Heat the Oil
In a deep pot or fryer, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 180°C (350°F).
- 4
Fry the Calamaretti
Dip the cleaned baby squid into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off. Carefully add the squid to the hot oil in batches, frying for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
For the Spicy Marinara Sauce
- 5
- 6
Make the Sauce
Add the canned crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and salt to the saucepan. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- 7
Finish the Sauce
Stir in the chopped fresh basil and sugar. Adjust the seasoning if necessary, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
