Christmas Eve Calamari

By Leite's Culinaria

Ingredients

2 pounds cleaned calamari (fresh or frozen) (both sacs and tentacles, washed and thoroughly dried)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion (halved and thinly sliced)
2 large cloves garlic (passed through a garlic press)
1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
Generous pinch red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon finely chopped oregano leaves
1/4 cup dry white wine
One (14 1/2-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
8 slices rustic Italian bread (plain or toasted (bruschetta))

Prep Time45mins
Cook Time60mins
Servings4

Instructions

Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, cut the calamari sacs (bodies) into 1/2-inch-wide rings. Cut each crown of tentacles in half lengthwise to yield bite-size pieces.

In a large sauté pan with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring from time to time, until softened and translucent, 7 to 8 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix together the garlic and the salt to form a paste. Add the paste to the onion in the pan and then stir in the red pepper flakes and oregano, mixing everything thoroughly. Add the calamari and stir to combine. Sauté for a minute or two. Raise the heat to medium-high, add the wine, and let the mixture bubble for 2 minutes. Pour in the tomatoes and their juices, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer gently until the calamari are tender, 30 to 45 minutes.

Uncover and continue to simmer gently until the sauce has thickened somewhat, up to 15 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, increase the heat to medium-high, and cook, uncovered, for 2 more minutes. Taste and season with salt if desired. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley. Spoon the calamari and sauce into shallow bowls and serve with the bruschetta or bread.