Strozzapreti with Seafood

Seafood Strozzapreti is a flavorful pasta dish that blends the rustic nature of strozzapreti with the flavors of the sea. Let’s look at the ingredients and the method.

Ingredients

• 400 g of strozzapreti
• 300 g of mixed seafood (for example: mussels, clams, squids, shrimps)
• 200 g of cherry tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh parsley to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Chili pepper (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• A splash of white wine

Preparation

1. Start by cleaning the seafood well. If using clams and mussels, remember to soak them in salted cold water for at least an hour so they release any sand. Then drain and scrape the shells with a small knife if necessary.
2. In a large pan, fry the garlic cloves in extra virgin olive oil. If you like, you can also add a bit of chili pepper.
3. Add the seafood to the pan and cook for a few minutes. Deglaze with a splash of white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
4. Then add the halved cherry tomatoes, adjust the salt, and cook on medium heat with the lid on until all the seafood has opened. Remove any that haven’t opened.
5. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the strozzapreti according to the package instructions until al dente.
6. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the pan with the seafood sauce. Toss everything together for a few minutes so the strozzapreti absorb the flavor of the sauce.
7. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Curiosity

The name “strozzapreti” has popular origins and is surrounded by various legends. One of the most common theories is that this particular pasta shape was so delicious that priests, known for their hearty appetites, would eat so much of it they would literally risk choking. Another story tells of Romagna housewives who would “strangle” the pasta with a typical hand gesture as if they wanted to “choke” the local priest. Regardless of the actual story, strozzapreti remains a very popular pasta shape throughout Italy.

For a slightly different touch, you might consider enhancing the dish with some grated lemon zest when tossing the pasta, which adds a citrusy aroma that pairs well with seafood. Enjoy your meal!