Calamari Tentacles Pasta with Parmesan Crusted Zucchini

(For the Penguins, Orcas, Dolphins, and any Fur who likes Tentacles inside them)
**Easy Difficulty**
Serves 2 to 3

For Tentacle Pasta:
1 (14 oz) package of Frozen Calamari Tentacles, thawed and pat dried
2 portions of your favorite Pasta, Cooked
2 portions of your favorite recipe for Tomato Sauce (or store bought)
1 (8 oz) package of button mushrooms, thin sliced
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper to taste

For Parmesan Crusted Zucchini:
2 medium sized Zucchini, sliced ¼ inch thick
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp unsalted Butter
½ dried Italian Seasoning
¼ cup grated Parmesan
(optional) shaved Parmesan for garnish
(optional) Minced Parsley for garnish


1) For Pasta: In a large sauce pan on medium heat, add in Olive Oil, mushrooms, and garlic. Brown garlic and mushrooms gently then add in thawed Calamari Tentacles. Cook until desired firmness. For chewier Calamari, cook for longer. For softer Calamari, cook for less time.

2) Mix in your favorite Tomato Sauce, and heat thoroughly. Season with Salt and Pepper to your liking. Pour on top of your favorite Pasta.

3) For Zucchini: Heat large Sauté Pan over high heat with Olive Oil, add Zucchini slices and sauté for 5 min until slightly brown and tender. Add in Butter, Italian Seasoning, and Grated Parmesan, and toss to combine.

4) Place Zucchinis in a row on plate with Pasta, and garnish with shaved Parmesan and Parsley. Serve and enjoy tentacles inside you!


Extra Info: I normally make my own Tomato sauce, but you can use your own recipe or a store bought brand. My tomato sauce has a combination of Basil, Oregano, garlic, onions, cracked peppercorns, salt, a pinch of sugar, and a little bit of pepper flakes. If I have to use a store bought brand, I normally go for one that is labelled “Mushroom,” “Garlic,” or “Mushroom Garlic” flavor. I then add my favorite seasonings.

Don’t be afraid to add more flavor to a store bought jar of Tomato sauce if you find it lacking in intensity. Just because it has “Garlic” labelled on it, doesn’t mean it has enough Garlic flavor to compete with the other ingredients in your dish. That’s why I always advise for you to taste every component of your recipe before using it in a dish so you know your food inside and out. Develop your pallet. Hone your taste buds. Make great food!

You can easily use Calamari rings cut from the body, but I find the Tentacles to be more fun to eat. It‘s exotic, and you can sometimes freak out your friends. *evil Tiger grin*