Linguine with Squid and Its Ink Recipe | Cook the Book

Updated August 09, 2018

squid ink linguine ingredients — Caroline Russock

This Linguine with Squid & Its Ink from Molto Gusto by Mario Batali and Mark Ladner is one seriously sinister-looking plate of pasta. It's dark and murky and once the little slices of calamari are dressed with the squid ink sauce, it's virtually impossible to tell the squid apart from the pasta by sight alone.

Before enjoying your pasta, you must overcome two hurdles: the first is sitting down a plate that sports a color palette not associated with everyday eating. The second is getting your hands on a jar of squid ink. I tried about seven different specialty shops before I found mine, but you can also find it online.

Once you've assembled all of your ingredients, this pasta comes together in a way that's not all that different from a simple spaghetti with clam sauce or aglio e olio. Garlic is sautéed in a bit of olive oil, wine is added and reduced, the calamari is cooked until just tender, and finally the squid ink is added. The dish is finished with a healthy squeeze of lemon and a handful of chopped parsley for brightness.

The flavors are really wonderful—acidic and rich—and taste of the sea without being too seafood-y. Just a quick warning though, eat this pasta only with those who you feel truly comfortable around. There's no way to enjoy it without black-stained lips.

Recipe Details

Linguine with Squid and Its Ink Recipe | Cook the Book

Total 0 mins

Serves 6 servings

Ingredients

Kosher salt
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 pound cleaned calamari
2 tablespoons squid ink
1 pound dried linguine
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/2 lemon

Directions

Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 3 tablespoons kosher salt.
Meanwhile, combine oil and garlic in another large pot and cook over medium heat, stirring, until garlic is softened, about 1 minute. Add wine, bring to a boil, and boil until reduced by half. Add calamari and cook, stirring, until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in squid ink and remove from heat.
Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until just al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Add pasta and 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water to sauce, stirring and tossing over medium heat, then cover and steam together over low heat for 2 minutes. Add a splash or two more of reserved pasta water if necessary to loosen sauce, stir in the parsley, and add squeeze of lemon juice, or to taste. Serve immediately.

Spaghetti, Bucatini, & Linguine

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
293	Calories
16g	Fat
30g	Carbs
7g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	293
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g	20%
Saturated Fat 2g	11%
Cholesterol 19mg	6%
Sodium 879mg	38%
Total Carbohydrate 30g	11%
Dietary Fiber 2g	6%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 10mg	52%
Calcium 22mg	2%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 125mg	3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.