Fusilli with Calamari and Blooming Zucchini

Fusilli with calamari and blooming zucchini is a dish that combines the flavor of the sea with the delicate floral and vegetal note of blooming zucchini. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 320g of fusilli
• 300g of fresh calamari
• 8-10 zucchini flowers
• 2 medium zucchini
• 2 cloves of garlic
• White wine q.b.
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper q.b.
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Grated lemon zest (optional)

Preparation

1. Clean the calamari by removing the skin, innards, and cartilaginous beak. Cut them into rings or strips, as you prefer.
2. Wash and clean the zucchini flowers carefully, gently removing the internal pistil, and then cut them into strips.
3. Cut the zucchini into thin slices or julienne, according to your personal taste.
4. In a large pan, fry the garlic cloves in extra virgin olive oil. Once browned, remove the garlic and add the calamari.
5. Quickly sauté the calamari until they become opaque, then deglaze with a bit of white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
6. Add the zucchini and cook for a few minutes until they soften. Adjust with salt and pepper.
7. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fusilli until al dente.
8. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the pan with the calamari and zucchini, adding the zucchini flowers.
9. Sauté everything together for a minute to allow the flavors to blend well.
10. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and, if you like, grated lemon zest for a touch of freshness.
11. Serve immediately.

Curiosity

Zucchini flowers are highly appreciated in Italian cuisine, both for their texture and their delicate flavor. They are used in multiple preparations: fried in batter, as stuffing for pasta, or added to risottos and other dishes for a note of color and flavor.

This recipe combines marine flavors with garden produce in a harmonious whole, using the brief cooking of calamari to preserve their tenderness and the sweetness of zucchini and their flowers. The final lemon touch is optional but recommended to refresh and balance the marine notes.