Stewed Squid

Name: Stewed Squid
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Squid to clean 1.75 lbs; Garlic 1 clove; Fresh chili pepper ½; Salted capers desalted 2 tbsp; White wine 1 glass; Tomato paste 1 tbsp; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Tomato purée 1.1 cups

it de fr

Gluten Free
Lactose Free

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Average

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Lulù Gargari

Stewed squid, or 'totani in umido' as they say in Southern Italy, is this Mediterranean delight that just takes over your kitchen with the aroma of garlic and tomatoes. Imagine those tender squid rings soaking up all the goodness in a rich tomato sauce. Super tasty. Just enough chili pepper and capers. You’ve got a dish that graces family tables in Naples or along the Amalfi Coast. It's really really comforting, like homestyle magic. Seriously, the slow cooking makes the seafood so moist and flavorful. Every bite feels like a bit of southern sunshine. People often say it’s like calamari stew or stewed cuttlefish. And you know what? It's easy to see why. These recipes show off how Italians turn seafood into something special. Plus, when you've got fresh bread—perfect for scooping up the rich, savory sauce—can't go wrong.

In Italy, making this stewed squid is pretty simple. No-fuss meal. Still tastes like a feast. Across the south, families add their own twists—maybe a splash of wine, maybe some olives—but at its heart, it's all about simple ingredients, slow cooking, and tons of flavor. There’s this tradition, 'fare la scarpetta,' where you use some crispy toasted bread to mop up every last bit of sauce. It feels so right with a bowl of tender squid in tomato sauce. And here's the thing, when the sauce is so so good, you don't want to waste a drop. Even though it’s a classic, this seafood stew never gets old. And it’s sweet from the tomatoes, a bit spicy from the chili. Perfect anytime, really. When you want something that tastes homemade, genuine and just straight from the southern coast, this slow-cooked squid stew recipe gives you that warm, welcoming Italian vibe. For sure. Whether it is a casual family dinner or a get-together with friends, this dish will impress with its simplicity and depth of flavor.

How to prepare Stewed Squid

To prepare the stewed squid, start by How to clean squid: separate the bodies from the tentacles and remove the pen, the thin transparent cartilage stick found inside the mantle 1. Extract the entrails and rinse the body and tentacles under running water 2. Once cleaned, cut the bodies into regular rings 3.

Divide the tentacles in half or quarters, depending on their size 4. In a large pan, pour a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, add the garlic and chili pepper 5, and sauté for a few minutes over low heat until the garlic is golden. Add the squid 6 and let it flavor well.

Also add the desalted capers 7. After about two minutes, deglaze with the white wine 8 and let the alcohol content evaporate completely. At this point, incorporate the tomato paste 9.

Pour in the tomato puree 10, then season with salt 11 and pepper 12.

Stir, cover with a lid leaving just a small crack for the steam to escape 13, and continue cooking for about twenty minutes, until the squid is tender and the sauce is thick and flavorful 14. Serve the stewed squid piping hot, accompanied by toasted bread to soak up the tasty sauce 15.