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Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant
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Italy Authentic home cooking from Italy, with US measurements.
Originally published on Cookpad Italy as Paccheri con crema di zucchine, calamari e melanzane fritte
A picture of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.

Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant

Tony Mazzanobile
Tony Mazzanobile @tonyliebt_kocht

What can I say... I could tell you a lot, but honestly, without beating around the bush, I can just say it's simply delicious. As always, the most important thing for a great dish is the quality of the ingredients, then of course the cooking technique, but what really makes the difference is the love and passion you put into what you're doing.

What can I say... I could tell you a lot, but honestly, without beating around the bush, I can just say it's simply delicious. As always, the most important thing for a great dish is the quality of the ingredients, then of course the cooking technique, but what really makes the difference is the love and passion you put into what you're doing.

Read more

Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant

Tony Mazzanobile
Tony Mazzanobile @tonyliebt_kocht

What can I say... I could tell you a lot, but honestly, without beating around the bush, I can just say it's simply delicious. As always, the most important thing for a great dish is the quality of the ingredients, then of course the cooking technique, but what really makes the difference is the love and passion you put into what you're doing.

What can I say... I could tell you a lot, but honestly, without beating around the bush, I can just say it's simply delicious. As always, the most important thing for a great dish is the quality of the ingredients, then of course the cooking technique, but what really makes the difference is the love and passion you put into what you're doing.

Read more
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Ingredients

Serves 4 servings
  • 14 oz (400 grams)paccheri pasta
  • 8calamari (amount depends on size; they shrink by about 50%)
  • 1round purple eggplant
  • To taste, Taggiasca olives
  • To taste, peanut oil
  • To taste, extra virgin olive oil
  • 8Piccadilly tomatoes
  • To taste, fresh oregano, rosemary, and thyme
  • To taste, vodka
  • For the zucchini cream:
  • 3zucchini
  • 1garlic clove
  • To taste, basil
  • 3mint leaves
  • To taste, black pepper
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Steps

  1. 1

    For the zucchini cream: In a skillet, heat a swirl of olive oil and add a garlic clove. As soon as the garlic sizzles, add the zucchini (peeled, but save the peels!) cut into small cubes, a sprig of basil, a small ladle of water, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat. Make sure there is always some liquid, as you'll need to blend it later.

    A picture of step 1 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
  2. 2

    Blanch the zucchini peels, cut into strips, in a small pot of salted water for a few seconds, then cool them in cold water or ice.

    A picture of step 2 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
  3. 3

    Place the zucchini flesh in a container for an immersion blender. Blend until creamy. Add the zucchini peels, a handful of basil and mint leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and blend until smooth and creamy. It should be fluid (add a little water if needed). Taste and adjust salt. Transfer to a cup and cover with plastic wrap.

    A picture of step 3 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
    A picture of step 3 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
    A picture of step 3 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
  4. 4

    Clean the calamari by removing the outer skin. Separate the tentacles and remove the eyes and beak. Slice the calamari lengthwise and remove any inedible parts. Rinse well, pat dry, and cut into strips lengthwise (don't worry—they'll shrink and curl up). Season with olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper, and add sprigs of rosemary, oregano, and thyme. Massage well and set aside.

    A picture of step 4 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
    A picture of step 4 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
  5. 5

    Heat a skillet, and when hot, add the calamari with the herbs, without any added fat. Deglaze with vodka and sauté for no more than 2 minutes (the longer they cook, the tougher they get). Transfer to a plate and cover with plastic wrap (this keeps them moist and tender until cooled). Pour the released liquid back into the skillet for later use.

    A picture of step 5 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
    A picture of step 5 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
    A picture of step 5 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
  6. 6

    Wash the Piccadilly tomatoes well. Remove the stem end, then cut them into quarters lengthwise. Remove the seeds, then slice lengthwise again and cut into medium pieces. Place in a container with a pinch of salt and tilt the container so excess water drains off (discard this water). Add the Taggiasca olives and dress with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh oregano leaves.

    A picture of step 6 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
    A picture of step 6 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
    A picture of step 6 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
  7. 7

    Cut the eggplant into quarters and remove all the spongy part. Cut into medium cubes and fry in plenty of hot peanut oil until golden.

    A picture of step 7 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
  8. 8

    Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water. A couple of minutes before it's done, transfer it to the skillet with the calamari juices. Toss to flavor, then continue cooking like risotto, adding a little pasta water at a time.

    A picture of step 8 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
    A picture of step 8 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
  9. 9

    One minute before the pasta is done, add the zucchini cream and continue cooking, adding water as needed until the pasta is cooked (don't let it dry out, as the sauce tends to thicken). At the end, add the calamari and toss everything together.

    A picture of step 9 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
    A picture of step 9 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
  10. 10

    Plate the pasta and top with the olives and raw tomato with oregano leaves. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!

    A picture of step 10 of Paccheri with Zucchini Cream, Calamari, and Fried Eggplant.
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Tony Mazzanobile
Tony Mazzanobile @tonyliebt_kocht
Published in the US on July 07, 2026 14:02

Keywords

Peanut Mint Zucchini Pepper Pasta Tomato Basil Squid Garlic Eggplant

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